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Contact: David West
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
9/25/98
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra will open its 31st season with a concert Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Dr. George Adams is the conductor. The concert is the first of two full performances scheduled for the orchestra in the fall semester. The orchestra and the NSU choirs will present a joint concert Nov. 19.
The orchestra will perform "Overture in D Major (in the Italian Style)" by Schubert, "Three String Pieces" by Puccini and "Symphony #2 in D Major" by Sibelius.
Schubert composed the overture at a time when Beethoven was at the height of his popularity in Vienna, said Adams. It is the first time in several years the orchestra has performed a work by Schubert.
"People had a hard time perceiving Schubert as a great composer while Beethoven was around," said Adams. "Schubert was influenced by Rossini in composing the overture. It is light-hearted and spirited."
The pieces by Puccini include "Minuet #1," "Minuet #2" and "Chrysanthemum." The works include additional orchestration by Associate Professor of Music Richard Rose.
"The pieces were each dedicated to friends of Puccini. They are among the few strictly instrumental pieces he composed," said Adams. "
"Symphony #2 in D Major" was written by Sibelius, a Finnish composer, at a time when Finland was hoping to gain independence from Czarist Russia.
"It is a piece that is hard to describe. It has a whole gamut of emotions," said Adams. "The first movement is optimistic and good natured. The second movement has violent mood swings. It is melancholy, violent, agitated and disturbed. The movement fades away into melancholy.
"The third movement is schizophrenic. It moves fast like dry leaves before a wind and that contrasts with a song-like section. Then it moves without a break into the fourth movement that is hymn-like, almost the apotheosis of the Finnish spirit."
Admission is free for NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts students and $5 for the general public.