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Bold, emotional and creative compositions are the thread connecting the music throughout Livermore-Amador Symphony’s “Dramatic Voices” concert next weekend at the Bankhead Theater.
The show will open with 14-year-old harpist Charlotte Trinh performing lead on the piece “Introduction and Allegro” by Maurice Ravel, followed by virtuoso clarinetist Steve Sanchez presenting Oscar Navarro’s “Clarinet Concerto No. 2” and finally the symphony showcasing Amy Beach’s “Symphony No. 2, Gaelic” to close the concert.
LAS conductor Lara Webber lauded the 1890s “Gaelic Symphony” as “loaded with memorable melodies that Beach continually develops with inventive use of counter themes and counter melodies that are shared across sections of the orchestra in brilliant and unexpected ways”.
“The music is deeply romantic and expressive, perfectly paced with just the right combination of energetic momentum; power; drama; intimate, nuanced emotions; and heart melting sentimentality, and features prolific use of familiar Gaelic melodies,” Webber said in a press release.
For the concert opener, the symphony will be joined by Trinh, who won the organization’s annual Competition for Young Musicians with her talent on the harp.
“Although the music is written for small forces, it sounds orchestral because of the way Ravel has used the different sounds of the instruments with flute and clarinet playing sparkling short notes, pizzicato and fast arpeggios in the strings, alternating with lyrical melodies, and the unique effect of playing harmonics,” Webber said of the piece Trinh will play.
“In fact, it’s hard to think of a piece that is like this one anywhere in the literature,” Webber added. “It is a joy to bring this music to life with Charlotte and our Livermore musician soloists in this chamber piece. A unique way to open a concert!”
Between the bookends will be Sanchez on the clarinet, accompanying LAS for the Navarro concerto.
“It’s a great big work that sounds cinematic,” Webber said. “One can hear the influence of the great film score composers with whom Navarro studied at the University of Southern California, and also his unique voice rooted in his Spanish heritage with flamenco rhythms and dance traditions woven through throughout the music.”
“Musicians clapping while also playing their instruments is a unique feature of this piece. It is incredibly exciting, thrilling to play and listen to and deeply moving,” she added.
Livermore-Amador Symphony’s “Dramatic Voices” concert is set for 7:30 p.m. next Saturday (June 6) at the Bankhead. Webber will host an “Inside the Music” talk from 7-7:15 p.m. Local Irish band Sixpenny will perform in the lobby during intermission and a complimentary wine reception will follow after the show.
For tickets and more information, go to livermoreamadorsymphony.org.
