The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra presents
Masterworks I: Pasajes (Passages)
Featuring works from contemporary and classical composers
Tania León, Mozart, Bruckner, and William Grant Still
Maryland Hall & Music Center at Strathmore
October 4-6, 2024
(Annapolis, Maryland) The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra will bring works from two of the nation’s most notable contemporary composers to Maryland Hall in Annapolis on October 4-5 and The Music Center at Strathmore on October 6, 2024. Artistic Director and Conductor José-Luis Novo, who is celebrating his twentieth year with the ASO, is renowned for bringing emerging, exciting, and important music to the stage.
He opens the ASO’s 63rd season with Pasajes, a thrilling piece by Cuban American composer Tania León, a Kennedy Center Honors recipient and Pulitzer Prize winner for her work as a conductor, educator, and advisor to arts organizations. Pasajes is a dazzling work that weaves together the rhythmic intensity of Latin American melodies, the sultry pulse of Caribbean beats, and the exuberant spirit of carnaval.
The celebration continues with a performance of classical music that promises to be unforgettable. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 was a groundbreaking work when it was composed in 1786 and retained all the characteristics of a composer at the height of his powers, although Mozart was only 30 when he wrote it. Slow movements in minor keys are uncommon in works by Mozart. An “adagio” marking is rare, too. Listen for these in the performance, particularly the bassoon’s imitation of the clarinet and violins. The restrained first movement and slow, sad second are followed by a glorious third that keeps the guest artist, pianist Brian Ganz, in constant motion.
The ASO acknowledges Anton Bruckner’s 200th anniversary with a powerful performance of his Symphony No. 3, a testament to music that continues to captivate audiences.
With a keen focus on themes of belonging and the Year of Maryland Civil Rights, the ASO aims to foster connections, spark dialogue, and celebrate the rich tapestry of our community. Sixty years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, audiences can now experience William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony for the first time in Annapolis. The piece exposes audiences to a raw and rich tapestry of African-American musical heritage that blends jazz, blues, and spirituals into a truly unique and thrilling experience. William Grant Still was an American composer of nearly two hundred works, including five symphonies, four ballets, nine operas, over thirty choral works, art songs, chamber music, and solo works. Born in Mississippi and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Still is often called the “Dean of Afro-American Composers.” Still became a leading figure in American classical music as the first Black conductor of a major American symphony orchestra, the first to have a symphony performed by a leading orchestra, to compose an opera performed by a major opera company, and to have an opera performed on national television. Afro-American Symphony was, until 1950, the most widely performed symphony composed by an American.
“We are thrilled to unveil our Season 63 lineup, which promises to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and the enduring power of music to unite us,” said José-Luis Novo, Artistic Director and Conductor of the ASO. “As we embark on this journey, we invite our community to join us in honoring the Year of Civil Rights in Maryland while embracing the spirit of belonging that lies at the heart of our shared humanity.”
MUSIC PROGRAM
Tania León Pasajes
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488 Brian Ganz, piano
Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 3 in D minor: Movement II
William Grant Still Symphony No. 1, “Afro-American Symphony”
The performances at Maryland Hall are preceded by a pre-concert lecture offered for free to all ticket holders. The lecture begins at 6:30 PM in the Maryland Hall auditorium and is hosted by Melanie Zeck, PhD, MLIS. To learn more about the history of each piece presented in the repertoire, interested lovers of classical and contemporary music can visit the ASO website: AnnapolisSymphony.org/events.
The Season 63 Masterworks series will captivate audiences with ten performances over five weekends. The program boasts a mix of classical and contemporary compositions, showcasing the timeless works of Beethoven, Mozart, Ravel, Bruckner, Shostakovich, and others, alongside contemporary composers like Tania León, Adolphus Hailstork, and Leonard Bernstein. Notable guest artists will amaze and delight our audiences, including pianist Brian Ganz, violinist Netanel Draiblate, hornist Alex Kovling, violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley, and the string quartet Dalí Quartet. The Season 63 Series of Masterworks is made possible by the Brian and Patricia Geise Foundation.
Tickets to the Maryland Hall performances are available online at AnnapolisSymphony.org or by calling the Box Office at 410-263-0907. Tickets for the performance at Strathmore are available at Strathmore.org
About the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director José-Luis Novo, comprises 70 professional musicians performing symphonic music for audiences of all ages. The mission of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is to inspire, educate, and enrich lives near and far by creating extraordinary musical experiences with uncompromising artistic excellence. As we celebrate our 63rd year in Annapolis, we are more intent than ever on making music matter. The non-profit organization provides educational programs through its partnerships with local schools and various other community outreach efforts. For more information about the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, visit the website annapolissymphony.org
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra offers subscription packages, both for in-person and virtual viewing, as well as tickets for single in-person programs. For more information or to purchase tickets or subscriptions, visit AnnapolisSymphony.org/subscribe or contact the Box Office at 410-263-0907.
Media Contact: Diana Love DLove@annapolissymphony.org 410-267-3631