The August Symphony Orchestra Presents Free Summer Concert

The August Symphony Orchestra (TASO) will perform its annual concert on Sunday, July 28 at 3:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, presenting engaging music with a summer theme. Under the baton of conductor, Michael Avagliano, the program features the overture to Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, and Samuel Barber’s Knoxville, Summer 1915 with vocal soloist Stacia Thiel.

The Overture to The Magic Flute K. 620 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the supreme orchestral works of the 18th century and perhaps one of the greatest of Mozart’s overtures. The Overture is notable for Mozart’s brilliant use of counterpoint and dynamic contrasts. It balances both profound and comedic melodies with masterful ease and harmonic surety. With its captivating music and whimsical story, The Magic Flute is one of the most beloved operas of all time. As with many of his earlier operas, Mozart composed the opera first, and the sparkling overture last.

Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 for voice and orchestra is a lush, richly textured work that paints a dreamy, nostalgic scene of a summer long past. It is based on James Agee’s autobiographical poetic essay of the same title, reflecting a childhood memory of idyllic summers spent with his family at their home in Tennessee. Evoking the highest aspects of Americana, this lyrical, warm music is Barber at his best. Performing the soprano solo is Montclair resident Stacia Thiel, an accomplished, classically trained singer and songwriter known for her expressive vocal emotions and storytelling through music.

Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 is characteristic for its bright and optimistic moods, woven throughout with lyrical melodies, sounds of nature and folk music themes. The music, inspired by the tranquil, countryside landscapes in which Dvořák composed the symphony, depict a summer's day, with the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze and bird-like flute passages, interrupted by a thunderstorm. Showing a remarkable variety of themes, the symphony presents a colorful sequence of pastoral images, from dance and march temperaments to passages of heightened drama, culminating in an energetic finale.

This is the fourth season the orchestra will be conducted by Michael Avagliano, who serves as music director of the Central Jersey Symphony and the Summit Symphony and is on the faculty of Drew University as director of the University Orchestra and violin professor. As a violinist and violist, Mr. Avagliano has appeared with the New Jersey Symphony, the Singapore Symphony, the Strauss Symphony of America, and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and is an active performer in the New York area.

“Maestro Avagliano brings a wealth of talent and expertise to The August Symphony Orchestra,” states Robert Whiteley, President of TASO. “We are honored to have him lead our orchestra and maintain our high standard of quality performance of musical works.”

The Presbyterian Church in Westfield is located at 140 Mountain Avenue at the intersection of East Broad Street. It offers ample parking and accessibility. There are parking lots at the back entrance to the church and across the street from the Sanctuary next to the Church Cemetery, plus plenty of on-street parking. The church is handicap accessible via a ramp in the front of the Sanctuary and through the Parish House which is ground level with elevator access.

The concert is made possible in part by funds from the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and a generous donation from Two River Community Bank with branches in Westfield, Cranford and Fanwood.

About The August Symphony Orchestra

The August Symphony Orchestra (TASO) is a non-profit organization whose objective is to enrich the Garden State community by offering an accessible way for classical orchestral music to be performed, listened to, and appreciated by all. TASO’s mission is to maintain a high standard of quality and performance while bringing people together and upholding a spirit of accessibility, community, and mutual love for classical music. The orchestra welcomes and appreciates the financial support from the public as well as from local companies, financial institutions, and New Jersey state grant foundations. For further information please visit: http://tasonj.org/.