PRESS RELEASE
The Wisconsin Wind Orchestra, the resident professional ensemble of Carroll University, will present a concert in the Humphrey Chapel on campus on September 18 at 4pm. The concert is free and open to the public.
Conducted by Professor of Music, Larry Harper, the chamber ensemble of 14 players will present a concert that they have entitled, “Let the Games Begin,” both as a nod to the Olympics of this summer and a description of the playful nature of the music, full of references to games, dances, plays, and children.
The centerpiece of the concert is a performance of several movements from Mendelssohn’s perennial favorite, the Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This was music composed in the 19th century on commission from the King of Prussia to accompany a performance of Shakespeare’s masterpiece. Mendelssohn’s brilliant and evocative music perfectly captures the spirit of the fairy kingdom from the play. Acting in scenes taken directly from Shakespeare’s play at the concert will be Professor of Theater at Carroll University, James Zager.
Another highlight of the afternoon concert will be a suite of Renaissance dances from the famed Renaissance composer, Michael Praetorius. This suite was arranged especially for the Wisconsin Wind Orchestra by Prof. Harper, two movements of which will be offered in world premiere. The arrangement attempts to capture the original sounds of Renaissance instruments and performance practice, while using modern instruments.
Also on the program will be Jeux d’Enfant (Children’s Games) of Georges Bizet, originally written by the composer for piano four-hand. Six Romances After Mendelssohn by Stephen Gryc, a set of variations based on the principal theme from Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony, rounds out the program.
The Wisconsin Wind Orchestra, the resident professional ensemble of Carroll University, will present a concert in the Humphrey Chapel on campus on September 18 at 4pm. The concert is free and open to the public.
Conducted by Professor of Music, Larry Harper, the chamber ensemble of 14 players will present a concert that they have entitled, “Let the Games Begin,” both as a nod to the Olympics of this summer and a description of the playful nature of the music, full of references to games, dances, plays, and children.
The centerpiece of the concert is a performance of several movements from Mendelssohn’s perennial favorite, the Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This was music composed in the 19th century on commission from the King of Prussia to accompany a performance of Shakespeare’s masterpiece. Mendelssohn’s brilliant and evocative music perfectly captures the spirit of the fairy kingdom from the play. Acting in scenes taken directly from Shakespeare’s play at the concert will be Professor of Theater at Carroll University, James Zager.
Another highlight of the afternoon concert will be a suite of Renaissance dances from the famed Renaissance composer, Michael Praetorius. This suite was arranged especially for the Wisconsin Wind Orchestra by Prof. Harper, two movements of which will be offered in world premiere. The arrangement attempts to capture the original sounds of Renaissance instruments and performance practice, while using modern instruments.
Also on the program will be Jeux d’Enfant (Children’s Games) of Georges Bizet, originally written by the composer for piano four-hand. Six Romances After Mendelssohn by Stephen Gryc, a set of variations based on the principal theme from Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony, rounds out the program.
