The Washington Wind Symphony: Magical Moments

Johan de Meij — Symphony No. 1 "The Lord of the Rings" ("I. Gandalf (The Wizard)")
Eric Whitacre — October
John Williams — Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ("Harry's Wondrous World")
Paul Hindemith — Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber ("IV. Marsch")
Igor Stravinsky — The Firebird Suite

Join the Washington Wind Symphony as we kick off our 37th season with "Magical Moments" at the Redmond Performing Arts Center. Our music director, Jacob Scherr, has created a spellbinding program of enchanting music for your listening pleasure. You’ll hear:

* Gandalf from Symphony No. 1, "Lord of the Rings," by Johan de Meij -- This introductory movement from the popular Dutch composer is a musical portrait of the wizard Gandalf, one of the principal characters of the trilogy. His wise and noble personality is evoked by a stately motif filled with lush harmonies, followed by the brisk tempo expressing a wild ride on his beautiful horse, Shadowfax.

* October, by Eric Whitacre -- From the composer: "October is my favorite month. Something about the crisp, autumn air and the subtle change in light always makes me a little sentimental, and as I started to sketch, I felt that same, quite beauty in the writing. The simple, pastoral melodies and subsequent harmonies are inspired by the great English romantics (Vaughan Williams and Elgar) as I felt that this style was also perfectly suited to capture the natural and pastoral soul of the season."

* Harry’s Wondrous World from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by John Williams, trans. Paul Lavender -- Williams composed this movie score in 2001, inspired by author J.K. Rowling’s ability to capture "a child’s sense of wonder in the world." Listen for his music’s uncanny ability to suggest the weightlessness of flight and fantasy.

* March from Symphonic Metamorphosis, by Paul Hindemith, trans. Keith Wilson -- A departure from a "traditional" march, Hindemith employs the brass to establish an important two-bar fragment at the outset, developing it with points of punctuation throughout the piece. This is an accomplished 1960 transcription of the beloved original work, composed in 1943.

* Suite from the Ballet "The Firebird", by Igor Stravinski, trans. Randy Earles, ed. Frederick Fennell -- In 1910, Sergei Diaghilev, envisioned a lavishly mounted dance production entitled "The Firebird," with its plot adapted from Russian fairy tales. The famous Russian composer Anatoli Lyadov was commissioned to write the music. When Lyadov did not produce the music quickly enough, Diaghilev passed the commission along to the relatively unknown Igor Stravinsky.

You’ll hear these works plus a foot-tapping bonus, so be sure to join us in the comfortable Redmond Performing Arts Center. We can’t wait to play for you!

About Washington Wind Symphony

http://www.washingtonwindsymphony.org/