For the final
concert of its fifth season, Ditmars Park-based One World Symphony
celebrates the memory of a passionate musical artist with the
first James Coleman Young People’s Concert on June 2 at St. Ann
and the Holy Trinity church in Brooklyn Heights.
Coleman, the 33-year-old principal violist of the orchestra,
died last year of cancer; in his honor, the ensemble’s artistic
director and conductor Sung Jin Hong put together a program that
memorializes Coleman with uplifting music old and new.
Opening the concert is music by Irish rockers U2 in world-premiere
orchestral arrangements by One World Symphony resident composer
Jihwan Kim. Three of the group’s most spiritual songs are included:
"One," "Pride" and "Where the Streets
Have No Name."
Following a performance of Gustav Holst’s sturdy classical warhorse,
"The Planets," the concert ends with another world
premiere, Stanley Grill’s "Pluto," which could be heard
as a continuation of Holst’s popular work. ("The Planets"
only has seven movements – "Earth" is omitted – because
Pluto had not yet been discovered when it premiered in 1918.)
Hong told GO Brooklyn that 20 kindergarten and first-grade violin
students from The Promise Academy in Harlem (pictured) will play
"the relentless ostinato rhythm from Mars."
"It will truly be a Young People’s Concert!" said Hong.
One World Symphony performs U2, Holst and Grill on June 2 at
8 pm at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity, 157 Montague St. at Clinton
Street in Brooklyn Heights. Tickets are $30, $20 for seniors
and $15 for students with ID. An open rehearsal will be held
May 31 at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity for $5. For more information,
call (718) 462-7270 or visit www.oneworldsymphony.org.
SYMPHONY PLAYS U2
