Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff’s demanding Symphony No. 3 and Maurice Ravel’s delightful Mother Goose Suite will highlight the program when Music Director Robert Lehmann conducts the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra in its Winter Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Swampscott High School Auditorium.
Tickets are available at the door or can be purchased in advance at www.nspo.org for $30, with discounts for seniors and students at $25. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
Also on the concert program is Samuel Barber’s First Essay for Orchestra.
Rachmaninoff, renowned for his piano works, wrote three symphonies, with nearly 40 years separating the first and third. Critics initially claimed the third was too “modern” and it was not well-received by audiences. Over the years, however, Rachmaninoff’s Third Symphony has earned its place in the symphonic repertoire for its rich orchestral color.
Ravel, known for his affection for children and animals, originally wrote a piano suite for Four Hands based on famous Mother Goose stories in 1908. Four years later, he orchestrated the suite. The imaginative, melodic music evokes the wonderment of characters such as Pavane for Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, Laideronette—Empress of the Pagodas, Beauty and the Beast, and a celebration of nature in The Enchanted Garden.
Barber wrote the First Essay for Orchestra in 1937—at the invitation of celebrated Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini, who conducted the first performance with the NBC Symphony Orchestra. The program also included Barber’s now-famous Adagio for Strings. The essay form of musical composition develops a complex and thoughtful work from a single thesis.
The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra is in its 76th season. Staffed largely by volunteer musicians, the NSPO is committed to providing affordable access to quality classical music. The orchestra strives to develop, train, and provide opportunities for young musicians while offering a wide range of programs covering both symphonic and pop repertoire for a diverse public. For full concert information, visit www.nspo.org or contact [email protected].
