Bruch, Schwendinger, Mendelssohn
Program
Max Bruch
Pieces for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano
Op. 83
Laura Elise Schwendinger
Celestial City for Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano
(2002)
Written in memory of the victims of 9/11
Felix Mendelssohn
Trio in D Minor for Violin, Cello, and Piano
Op. 49
Performances
Program Notes
"High Wire Act for Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano" (2009) by Laura Elise Schwendinger * World Premiere
Originally written for flute, strings and piano, Schwendinger has written a new transcription of the piece for Orion. Inspired by wire sculptures of circus figures done by Alexander Calder, each of the piece's five movements is a musical character portrait of its title. At the Evanston concert, artist (and Orion board member) Joe Taylor will show his circus-related artwork, created for and inspired by The Actors Gymnasium.
"Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op. 83" by Max Bruch
Bruch's love of melody (which he refers to as the "soul of music") and his timbral imagination in using these three instruments make this set a delight for performers and listeners alike. Preferring dark sonorities, Bruch creates a wide variety of moods and textures from the instruments.
"Trio in D Minor for Violin, Cello and Piano, Op. 49" by Felix Mendelssohn
Two hundred years after the birth of the great 19th century German composer Felix Mendelssohn, Orion will perform this virtuosic and lyrical trio. Written during a time of relative equilibrium between his career and personal life, the work offers both extroverted and introverted moments.