Upcoming Livingston Symphony Orchestra Concert

Maestro Anthoy LaGruth and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra invite you to join them on Saturday, March 5 at 7:30 pm for the “LSO Dance Mix”. The third performance in the orchestra’s 2015-2016 season, the concert features the rhythm, melody and stories of classical dances composed by Brahms, Copland, Gliere and Rachmaninoff, and takes the audience from the land of gypsies, to the American West, Russia and beyond.

A highlight of the evening, Brahms’ popular “Hungarian Dances #’s 1 and 3” are from a group of 21 composed originally for four hand piano, a piano duet played on one instrument. In contrast to more serious works such as symphonies and concertos, this music is written more for relaxation and diversion and is inspired by gypsy folk tunes. Brahms himself entertained his guests with these dances and later orchestrated these two dances for full orchestra. Speeding up, slowing down, shifting in melody with panache, the warmth and spirit of theses dances is truly joyful.

Brooklyn born composer Aaron Copland , best known for forging distinctively American style music, also makes use of folk tunes in his “Four Dance Selections from Rodeo.” In this music written for ballet, Copland paints a vivid picture of cowboys and romance in the American West. Spirited melodies and rhythm abound, and the recognizable “Hoe Down,” which serves as the background music for the”Beef –its what’s for dinner” commercials, demonstrates country fiddling at its best.

Nationally spirited music inspires another composer, Gliere, for his “Red Poppy Ballet” in which “The Russian Sailor Dance” appears. In a story that takes place in China, this piece celebrates the love between a local girl and a Russian sea captain. The music starts rapidly, followed by a slow rustic folk tune, and then builds in speed and intensity through thematic variations towards a whirling finish.

The last piece on the program is a story reflecting the life of its composer, Rachmaninoff. A pianist and conductor, he was displaced from his boyhood home to study in Moscow and St Petersberg, displaced from his country during the Bolshevik Revolution, and from Europe during World War II. Rachmaninoff’s final composition, “Symphonic Dances” is his only work composed entirely in America and also one originally intended for ballet. Beautiful themes and powerful rhythms, a folk like tune introduced by an alto saxophone, colors from a variety of percussion instruments, a melancholy waltz and a totentanz, or death dance, all make for spectacular music.

Audience members have the opportunity to enjoy this gypsy, American and Russian themed classical dance music on March 5 at 7:30pm at the Mount Pleasant Middle School Auditorium, 11 Broadlawn Drive, Livingston NJ. The program is presented by a group of dedicated, professional level musicians, including Livingston residents Dmitry Chernavsky and Tomomi Takamoto, and are led by a charismatic conductor in his debut season with the orchestra. Maestro LaGruth promises to bring his gift for teaching and storytelling to an engaging performance. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and free for children under 12. For more information on this evening, please visit www.lsonj.org or call (973) 980-1809.