Pacific Lutheran University Symphony Orchestra: Lament
Free
Dmitri Shostakovich — Sinfonia for Strings (after String Quartet No. 8 Op. 110)
George Walker — Lyric for Strings
Elfrida Andrée — Andante quasi recitativo
Jerry Kracht — G. F. 8′46″ for String Orchestra
Jeffrey Bell-Hanson, conductor
Ariel Johnston, student conductor
William Grant Still – Mother and Child
Dmitri Shostakovich – Sinfonia for Strings (after String Quartet No. 8, Op. 110)
George Walker – Lyric for Strings
Elfrida Andrée – Andante quasi recitatativo (ed. Dr. Jonathan Spatola-Knoll)
Jerry Kracht – G. F. 8′46″ for String Orchestra
Premiere: May 11, 2021, 8pm (Pacific)
Watch the premiere here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oupHXMil4M
View the full program notes here: https://www.plu.edu/soac/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2021/05/may11-uso.pdf
Welcome, virtually, to Lagerquist Concert Hall for our first and only concert performance of the 2020-2021 season. This program marks the first concert appearance of the PLU Orchestra since December 2019. It features members of the string sections only due to the pandemic conditions under which we have operated this year. While we look forward to returning to performances of the full PLU Symphony Orchestra in the fall, conditions permitting, we have enjoyed exploring a different type of literature, and many new composers this season, some of whom are presented on the program tonight.
Videos featuring some of our students and others will introduce the pieces on the program.
Notes from composer Jerry Kracht:
Anyone who read or watched the news from Minneapolis on or after May 25, 2020 will know immediately the meaning of this title: G. F. 8’46”. Thousands took to the streets across the nation in protest of the tragic events of that day and of the countless other acts of violence it recalled and came to represent. The cries for justice still echo today, at this writing. Some, like myself, shocked at the images we saw, were left at a loss for words and turned instead to the language we know better: music. I remember needing music that night and seeking out the Barber Adagio for consolation – a piece often played in past times of national grieving and no doubt played again this time. It was then I felt the need to write this little piece for string orchestra. It’s no Barber Adagio. Far from it. That masterpiece will stand forever. This is simply my personal expression of sadness for the moment, for the need, yet again, of such expressions, and for the loss of life and for the national tragedy it exposed once more.
About the music: A short but dramatic introduction leads to a series of passages that play out over simple harmonies and an almost constant repetition of the main motive – not unlike the obvious and tragic repetition of events like the one remembered here. There is an oppressive sameness to the music as the tempo ticks slowly and steadily to the end. The sadness is unrelenting, with no help for it despite frequent outcries. If the notes G and F play a prominent role here, you will understand. If it lasts 8’46” and then expires, you will understand. But, alas, for the rest of the story that unfolded that day, understanding still eludes.
Jerry Kracht
Lummi Island, Washington
September 9, 2020
Composer’s addendum: The trial of the former police officer accused of killing George Floyd got underway in Minneapolis on March 29, 2021. The world watched and waited for the outcome, which was finally announced on April 20: Guilty on all three counts. Trial evidence showed the actual time in question was 9 minutes and 29 seconds – not the 8’46” that was originally reported and became widely accepted, even broadly symbolic, of police injustices. Rather than change the music or its title, perhaps an additional 43 seconds of silence at the end will serve to further illustrate the depth of this tragedy.
Jerry Kracht
Lummi Island, Washington
April 21, 2021