From TOLEDO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
On Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17, at 8 P.M. at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theater, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) joins Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) members on stage in a massive orchestra to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, paying tribute to the courageous men and women who served their country and the rest of the world.
“This concert brings together heroic themes and programmatic music about courage and triumph,” says TSO President & CEO, Zak Vassar. “As we celebrate our 100th Veteran’s Day, it’s important to remember the stories of those who fought and defended our nation. I think this music does that in a really beautiful and appropriate way.”
The program on Friday and Saturday evening features great American favorites—including Battle Hymn of the Republic, John Williams’ Summon the Heroes, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Symbolon, and Richard Strauss’ masterpiece, Ein Heldenleben (“A Hero’s Life”).
Written in 1898, Ein Heldenleben is one of Richard Strauss’ most monumental tone poems and is among his most autobiographical works. Each movement tells the story of the hero (Strauss) and his struggles with mankind, love, and most importantly, the enemy on the battlefield. Last performed by the TSO in 1999 under the direction of Andrew Massey, this is the first time the orchestra will perform Strauss’ stunning music under Music Director Alain Trudel’s baton.
“This is a very important concert that reflects on a very important time in history,” says Alain Trudel, Music Director of the Toledo Symphony. “It’s a big piece, and it’s a piece I love. More than 100 musicians of varying ages will join together on stage to perform Strauss’ famous Ein Heldenleben, one of his great symphonic works.”
“What a wonderful opportunity for the TSYO Philharmonic Orchestra members to perform side-by-side with their professional TSO counterparts,” says Joan Weiler, Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras Coordinator. “These types of performances serve a greater educational purpose and it gives these students added confidence to perform with such high caliber musicians.”
A Hero’s Life will take place Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 8 PM at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theater. Tickets are available at toledosymphony.com or by calling the Toledo Symphony Box Office at 419.246.8000.
