From TOLEDO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Toledo Symphony Orchestra will perform two world premieres at its 2021/2022 ProMedica Masterworks season finale on Friday, June 3, at 8 p.m. at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theater.
The program on Friday evening includes George Gershwin’s “Catfish Row” showcasing melodies from his opera “Porgy and Bess,” the world premiere of “Origin Story” by local composer Christopher Dietz for the TSO, as well as the world premiere of Music Director Alain Trudel’s piano concerto. The one-night-only performance is made possible by The Trust Company Family Offices.
“At our 2021/2022 season finale, we pay tribute to the resilience of American creators with one of the most well-known works by George Gershwin, his “Catfish Row,” which is a symphonic suite from the famous opera “Porgy and Bess,” as well as two world-premieres that were written during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Trudel. “Paired with the premiere of Dietz’s ‘Origin Story,’ we have invited pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin to perform ‘Alter(e),’ my new work for piano and orchestra. It’s going to be a spectacular evening celebrating American music!”
Alain Trudel has served as the TSO’s Music Director since the 2018/2019 season. Since his inaugural season, the orchestra has performed several of his works, including “Rhea” (2008) in September 2018 and most recently his String Quartet No. 1(1984) in March 2021. The TSO will conclude its 2021/2022 season with his piano concerto, “Alter(e).”
“The term ‘alter,’ has many meanings – to adjust, change, modify, reshape, revise – which to me, reflects the last several years of our lives,” continues Trudel. “The pandemic kept us apart. Writing this work allowed me to feel close to those important to me, including my Toledo Symphony family. This work is dedicated to all of them.”
Christopher Dietz, Associate Professor of Composition at Bowling Green State University holds a Ph.D. in composition and theory from the University of Michigan where he studied with William Bolcom, Bright Sheng, Michael Daugherty, Betsy Jolas, and Andrew Mead. His works have been featured at new music festivals, including Civic Orchestra of Chicago’s New Music Workshop, NUNC!, soundSCAPE (Italy), The Etchings Festival of Contemporary Music (France), The Queens New Music Festival, New Music on the Point, Florida State’s Biennial Festival, Mizzou New Music Summer Festival, Tutti Festival of New Music, MusicX Festival, and more. The Toledo Symphony most recently performed Dietz’s orchestral work “Caldera” (2004) in 2018 and will premiere “Origin Story” at the one-night-only performance.
[RELATED: Dietz finds a place among the masters on Toledo Symphony program]
“Origin Story” (2019) weaves together three different perspectives on creation into an evocative orchestral tapestry. The piece depicts the formation of humankind out of mud and dust, from the battle between opposing forces, and as the result of eons of exploding stars seeding the universe with the heavy elements necessary for life as we know it.
“I am very eager to present this work to the public after its premiere was cancelled in April of 2020 due to COVID,” says Dietz. “Maestro Trudel and the Toledo Symphony have been wonderful artistic partners. It will be a joy to finally hear it after such a long wait.”
HOW TO ATTEND:
What: America in the Key of Gershwin
When: Friday, June 3, 2022, 8PM
Where: Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater
In-person Ticket Cost: In-person tickets start at $22. Livestreaming tickets are $19.99. Student rush tickets are $5 at the door.
More info: Visit toledosymphony.com, stop by the TAPA Box Office located at 1838 Parkwood Avenue, or call 419.246.8000.
Tickets to the Toledo Symphony’s 2021/2022 season finale are available now. For more information, please contact Vanessa Gardner, Director of Marketing & Communications at vgardner@artstoledo.com.
