After a tragedy of epic proportions like
the events of Sept. 11, new perspectives become the norm. And
so it is with the Brooklyn Philharmonic’s upcoming season, which
opens with a program of two local premieres and one heralded
masterwork on Oct. 12 and 13 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s
Howard Gilman Opera House.
When Philharmonic Music Director Robert Spano introduced the
2001-2002 season, "Songs of the Earth: Mysteries of the
Ancients," to the press last spring, he discussed in general
terms about how the five-concert series celebrates the musical
diversity on each continent throughout world history.
The current season certainly is that. But as composer Ramon Zupko
– whose "Life Dances" is the first piece on the first
concert program – told The Brooklyn Papers in an exclusive interview
from his home in Michigan, "This season has to do with the
celebration and reaffirmation of life, which seems especially
important after all we’ve gone through recently."
Celebrating and reaffirming life, and our humanity, is what the
greatest music, and the highest art in general, does best. During
the past two millennia, mankind has always striven for the ideal,
creating works of art that not only mirror the world as it is
but also show what we can possibly achieve.
For these first concerts, Spano has taken three works with distinctive
sound worlds, which also are influenced by three ancient cultures.
"Yarregeh" is subtitled "Nocturne for Solo Percussion
and Orchestra"; composed by Australian Ross Edwards, it
is based on mystical themes originated by the Aborigines, a people
indigenous to Australia. "Yarregeh" – for which Brooklyn
Philharmonic principal percussionist James Priess is featured
soloist – is Spano’s way of nodding to the ongoing "Next
Wave Down Under," BAM’s annual avant-garde series that is
currently highlighting Aussie art.
After "Yarregeh," Igor Stravinsky’s "The Rite
of Spring" closes the program. As famous as it is infamous,
Stravinsky’s bludgeoning ballet (which caused a riot when it
premiered in Paris in 1913) rhythmically hammers away for half
an hour in a merciless manner as it depicts pagan religious ceremonies
in ancient Russia.
Zupko’s "Life Dances," which was originally commissioned
by the Berkshire Music Festival and had its premiere at the Tanglewood
Festival in the summer of 1981, takes as its influence a culture
much closer to home.
"I’ve always been extremely interested in American Indian
folklore," Zupko explains, "and I wrote a number of
compositions in the 1980s that were based on American Indian
culture. I ended up writing five or six large works based on
American Indian sources, and I still return to it occasionally."
A 17-minute work in four movements, "Life Dances,"
as Zupko tells it, explores his fascination with American Indian
art. "Each of the four movements is based on an American
Indian folksong," he says. "I also have four short
American Indian poems accompanying all of the movements, all
of which are printed in the program in order to give listeners
an orientation to the work’s context."
The 68-year-old Zupko, who retired from Western Michigan University
in 1999 after serving on the music school faculty for 26 years,
has known Spano a long time. "(Robert) was my student for
a few years," recounts the composer. "He entered our
high school music seminar at the college. We had never allowed
a grade-school pupil into the program before that, but he was
so precocious and so talented that we made an exception."
That precocious, talented musician has now returned the favor
to his professor by giving the first New York performance of
one of his most original works.
Notable season
The remainder of the Brooklyn Philharmonic’s 2001-2002 season
includes:
The Ancient Greeks: Bernstein’s "Serenade" (based on
Plato’s writings) and the world-premiere of Christopher Theofanides’
opera "The Cows of Apollo" (Dec. 14-15, BAM Harvey
Theater).
Hispanics and African-Americans: Darius Milhaud’s "Le Creation
du Monde" and Aaron Copland’s "El Salon Mexico"
(Feb. 15-16, BAM Howard Gilman Opera House).
Norse Mythology: excerpts from Wagner’s "Ring Cycle"
and Jean Sibelius’ "The Origin of Fire" (March 15-16,
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House).
Chinese Culture: Mahler’s "Das Lied von der Erde" (based
on Chinese writings) and two works by the Chinese composer Bright
Sheng, including a world premiere (April 26-27, BAM Howard Gilman
Opera House).
The Brooklyn Philharmonic will perform
works by Ramon Zupko, Ross Edwards and Igor Stravinsky on Oct.
12 and Oct. 13 at 8 pm at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard
Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Ave.) Tickets are $50, $35,
$20 and $8 day of concert. For more information visit www.brooklynphilharmonic.org
on the Web or call (718) 636-4100.
