The audience at the packed-out U. Tobe Recital Hall performance of the FGCU’s Bower School of Music Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, October 20th, was treated to a performance that could have graced any well-known concert hall in the country. Conductor Kyle Szabo’s passion and enthusiasm encouraged the 64-piece orchestra to respond in kind!
Given the students had only a few weeks to rehearse, interspersed with delays from the recent hurricanes, this was a masterful performance that earned a well-deserved standing ovation.
The first piece by Mussorgsky, A Night on Bald Mountain, arranged by Rimsky-Korsakov, is based on the short story in which St John sees a witches’ Sabbath on the Bald Mountain near Kiev in the old Russian Empire. It’s a wild and terrifying party with lots of dancing, but the witches vanish when the church bell chimes at 6 a.m. and the sun rises.
This piece is all about the fury and frenzy of the terrifying witches’ party. The whole orchestra plays together, creating a dense and intimidating atmosphere. All the orchestra sections play busy, loud, and chaotic parts, adding to the nighttime frenzy.
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As dawn breaks, we hear the instruments suddenly fall silent. A much thinner texture represents the first light of morning when the witches and other wild creatures have left. Later, a solitary bell plays above wind instruments, and the upper strings join in a much thinner texture than the earlier music. The orchestra captured the extraordinary drama the composer intended in this amazing composition.
The second piece was Schumann’s Symphony No.4, described as one of the most significant works in the Romantic symphonic repertoire. Composed in 1841 and revised in 1851, this symphony reflects an intense emotional and creative period in the composer’s life. It is another intricate composition that the symphony orchestra captured in their performance.
It was an afternoon of wonderful classical music to remember.
There are many more opportunities to listen to a wide range of options from leading invited musicians and extremely talented students. The full program can be seen by clicking the graphic.
Don’t miss the upcoming concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the U.Tobe Recital Hall, featuring the Athens-based Trio Makari. They will showcase the sounds of the Mediterranean, playing exciting music from Sicily, Greece, and Spain.
Engage Estero is an all-volunteer, nonpolitical, nonprofit Community Engagement Association. We exist to inform citizens of significant community issues and encourage citizen engagement to impact the quality of life in greater Estero favorably.
