Symphonic Strings

Debut Concert – October 4^th, 2007

Adagio, Allegro

(Sept. 11, 1711-Feb. 7, 1779). English composer. Boyce produced a generous quantity of music during his career, and is most widely recognized for his symphonies, anthems, and overtures. His eight symphonies, all in three movements, combine Baroque style with forward looking elements; like other early "symphonies" in Italy, these were closely linked to the theatrical overture form; indeed, these symphonies were essentially collations of pieces borrowed from Boyce's own catalog of music for theater. Boyce composed music for keyboard, as well as chamber music for varied ensembles; a group of 12 trio sonatas in the Italian manner, published in 1747, proved particularly successful. Tonight's work is a taken from the 12 sonatas.

A Rose for Emily by W. Francis McBeth

Commissioned by and dedicated to Sandra Dackow. It was premiered in February 1998 in Arkansas, under her direction. Inspired by Faulkner's story of the same name. The short story "A Rose for Emily" recounts an eccentric spinster, Emily Grierson, her father, who controlled and manipulated her, and her lover, the Yankee road worker Homer Barron. When Homer Barren threatens to leave her, she is seen buying arsenic, which the townspeople believe she will use to commit suicide. After this, Homer Barron is not heard from again, and is assumed to have returned north. Though she does not commit suicide, the townspeople continue to gossip about her and her eccentricities, citing her family's history of mental illness. She is heard from less and less, and rarely ever leaves her home. Unknown to the townspeople until her death, hidden in her upstairs room is the corpse of Homer Barron.

It was Faulkner's first short story published in a national magazine, and the popularity of the story is due in no small part to its gruesome ending. The story explores many themes, including the society of the South at that time, the role of women in the South, and extreme psychosis.

It was adapted for film in 1982 by Chubbuck Cinema Company, and has since been released as a 27-minute video. The star-studded credits include Anjelica Huston, John Houseman, John Randolph, John Carradine and Jared Martin.

Serenade for Strings, Op. 12 by Dag Wiren

Dag Ivar Wiren (October 15,1905 -April 19,1986) was a Swedish composer. Wiren studied at the at Stockholm conservatory from 1926-1931, and in 1932 won the state stipend. He used the award money to continue his studies in Paris, where he remained for three years. Upon his return to Sweden, he took up work as a music critic, and composed his first two symphonies. His most famous work is his Serenade for Strings (1937), but he also composed 5 symphonies, string quartets, and numerous orchestral pieces and film scores.

Sernade for Strings, Op 11 is a four movement work which we will perform the 1^!|, 2^nd, and 4^th. The serenade begins with the Preludium as do most serenades. This one is a lively, flowing, highly energetic movement in gmajor. It is followed by the slow expressive 2" movement based on an 8 bar melody that moves around the orchestra in various degrees of tonality. The 4^lhmovement is an energetic March that begins quietly and ends just as unceremoniously.