The
Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra’s next concert will be held on
Sunday, February 23 at the Chimacum High School
Auditorium, starting at 2 pm. Concerts are free to the public with
donations accepted at the door.
Conductor and Artistic Director Tigran
Arakelyan said, “Welcome to our first concert
of 2020! This concert features beautiful music inspired by literature
and a talented young clarinet soloist from Port Townsend, Kincaid
Gould. Musicians from Port Townsend High School Orchestra also join
the orchestra as guest performers.”
Kincaid
Gould won First Prize in the 2019 PTSO Young Artist Competition,
which included the option to be featured soloist for this concert.
Kincaid is a Port
Townsend High School student and principal clarinetist of the PTSO.
Born in Port Townsend, he began playing piano in third grade and then
clarinet in fifth grade. His clarinet teacher is Miles Vokurka.
Kincaid’s achievements include qualification for and superior rating
in the Washington Music Educators Association State Solo Contest, as
well as acceptance into All-State and All-Northwest Honor Bands for
the past five years. This year, he was accepted into the Washington
Music Educators Association All-State Chamber Orchestra, with which
he will be playing principal clarinet.
At Port Townsend High School, Kincaid is a member of the concert band, marching band, pep band and jazz band. He also plays clarinet with ensembles in the community. He has been a member of the Port Townsend Summer Band for five years, as well as a member of Port Townsend High School’s cross-country team. Kincaid has applied to colleges and following graduation he plans to continue his music studies while also pursuing a degree in a yet-to-be-determined field. He will perform:
Concertino for Clarinet in E Flat Major, Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826). German composer Carl Maria von Weber wrote his “Concertino for Clarinet in E Flat Major” over the course of only three days in 1811. It remains a popular Romantic Period staple in the clarinet repertoire to this day.
Arakeylan
explained about the other pieces, “The program also features music
inspired by literature, telling the stories through another language.
Tragedy, love and faith are expressed as vividly in music as they
are in literature. In my experience, there have been many times when
music was more powerful than words. It is a magical experience to
hear these musical works and imagine the literary stories.”
The
literature-based pieces are:
Merry
Wives of Windsor Overture, Carl Otto Ehrenfried Nicolai (1810–1849).
“The
Merry Wives of Windsor”is
based on the comedy by William Shakespeare. In this opera, an
impoverished Falstaff attempts to woo the wives of two rich merchants
of Windsor. His plan is quickly exposed, and he is manipulated by the
women, their husbands and other characters.
Pelléas and Mélisande,
Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924). This
piece is based on a 1893 French play set
in medieval times. It tells of a tragic love triangle between the
maiden Mélisande, Golaud who marries her, and his younger brother
Pelléas, who falls in love with her. The tragic death of Mélisande
is reflected with the ending lamentation which brings in hints of
Mélisande’s theme.
Romeo
and Juliet, Fantasy Overture, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893).
Tchaikovsky
styled this piece after Shakespeare’s play of the same name. It is a
one movement symphonic poem-like work that encapsulates the tragic
love story between Romeo and Juliet. The final section is the most
famous as it has the wondrous and passionate romantic theme, which
represents the idea that love conquers all.
“We are excited to take you on another journey, exploring the intertwined vision and passion of music and literature. These pieces are a great example of the powerful statement that arts and artists can make when they come together. Thank you for your continued support, love and encouragement!” said Arakeylan.
For additional details and updates please visit the orchestra’s website at PTSymphony.org.
https://ptsymphony.org/program-notes-feb-2020/
