Symphony Pro Musica Concert: Monuments in Music

Symphony Pro Musica Closes 29^th Season with Monuments in Music in Hudson and Westborough

Symphony Pro Musica ends its 29th season in Hudson on May 5, 2012 (7:30pm, Hudson High School) and in Westborough on May 6, 2012 (3:30pm, Mill Pond School). Under the baton of music director Mark Churchill, the celebrated regional orchestra will perform music by Jennifer Higdon, Ottorino Respighi, and Johannes Brahms.

Higdon’s SkyLine, the composer’s musical representation of the energy and exuberance of the city opens the program of Monuments in Music, followed by Respighi’s Church Windows. After completing the music, the composer felt that they might be interpreted as representing stained glass windows depicting particular biblical scenes or characters – specifically, the Flight into Egypt, St. Michael the Archangel, the Matins of St. Clare, and St. Gregory the Great.  Although not among Respighi’s most familiar works, the four tone poems that make up Church Windows are at once contemplative – lovely and delicate – and glorious – depicting a celestial battle and the grandeur of the Church.

The second part of the program features Brahms’ monumental Piano Concerto No. 1. The composer’s attempt to feature the piano and orchestra as musical partners, rather than as a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra, was unusual for its time and initially unappreciated by audiences.  Its scale and grandeur, in combination with its thrilling technical passages, gradually brought it recognition for the masterpiece it is.

Pianist David Ascanio brings his considerable talent to the Brahms. The most-renowned Venezuelan pianist of his generation, Mr. Ascanio is a critically-acclaimed soloist and chamber musician. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School. He has toured Latin America ten times, and has performed in 39 other countries on four continents. He is also a founding member of “El Sistema,” Venezuela’s groundbreaking musical education program.

Tickets for the performances will be available at the door and are priced at $20–$24. There is a $2 discount for tickets purchased in advance. Students 12^th grade and under are admitted free. Group rates are also available. To order advance tickets, please call 978‑562‑0939. For more information about Symphony Pro Musica and its concerts, visit SPM’s website: www.symphonypromusica.org.

Serving a regional audience, the orchestra is supported in part by grants from Cultural Councils in Berlin, Bolton, Hudson, Shrewsbury, Southborough, and Westborough, local agencies that are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency that also provides support.