A perfect concert to begin the Holiday Season
We have an exciting variety of favorite seasonal music and a special gift in this "Christmas Pops Concert". We open with the popular holiday favorite Winter Wonderland and then move on to the traditional March of the Toys from Victor Herbert's Babes in Toyland.
The Violin Concerto in E Minor by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1845) is one of the most famous violin concertos in the repertoire and has a unique association with child prodigies. First appearing in public at age 9 and cataloguing his works at age 11, Mendelssohn went on to write his Octet, Op. 20, one of his finest works, at age 16. That same year he met the rising 15-year-old violinist, Ferdinand David, who would join him in the Leipzig Gewandhaus as concertmaster. David would give the first 2 performances of the Concerto in 1844. However because of illness was unable to give the third performance and sent his 14-year-old student, Joseph Joachim, who performed masterfully and thus began his career that would make him the undisputed king of 19th-century violinists. For this performance we present 12-year-old Likai He from Casper, Wyoming. The son of Jianjun He, professor of theory at Casper College whose Festival Overture we played last spring, Likai has distinguished himself with several awards in the US and China. We are thrilled to present this outstanding young violinist and know that you will remember this performance for years to come.
The second half begins with our brass section performing Christmas Carols as arranged by Leroy Anderson. Then the strings and woodwinds playone of the most beautifullyorchestrated workswritten by the English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams, Fantasie on Greensleaves. Many orchestras have recorded this work and it remains a favorite of audiences especially at Christmas time.
Our trumpet section comes forward next to show off their blazing technique in Leroy Anderson's Bugler's Holiday. We are very fortunate to have these three fine trumpeters playing in our orchestra. After the Buglers we will play 3 short arrangements by Chip Davis made famous by the Mannheim Steamroller. These are pieces that we hear throughout the season in many different locations.
We'll finish the performance with two works that were written for activities that only happen in winter. First the Skater's Waltz by Waldteufel a piece that everyone who has ever watched a cartoon knows by heart. We've seen mice, dogs and every manner of cartoon character glide across the ice with this music! Finally we'll take a quick ride in a sleigh across the snow with the sound of horse hooves, whips and the horse whiney.
This is a perfect concert to begin the Holiday Season -- your favorite tunes and carols of the season plus the gift of young Likai He. See you at the Cam-plex!
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