String into spring as you experience the world-class Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra at Mozart for March on March 24 at 5 p.m. BVSO musicians, the Brazos Valley Chorale, the Blinn College Choir and five soloists will unite to provide attendees with a magical evening of Mozart, featuring two works from the classical composer- “Oboe Concerto” and “Requiem” at Texas A&M University’s Rudder Auditorium.
In conjunction with BVSO’s 37th season theme “New Heights,” Mozart for March will truly take the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra to new levels of live performance with “a modern take on Mozart’s work, five great soloists, and a grand-scale production with fantastic choirs on stage that will take your breath away,” says Mary Koeninger, Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra Executive Director.
“Mozart for March is going to be quite a spectacular show,” she adds. “Not many symphonies have the opportunity to put on this kind of production, except for larger ones like the Houston Symphony and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.” Music Director Marcelo Bussiki has managed to bring out the best in the musicians through collaborating with them, adds Koeninger.
The first half of the evening will feature a musical rendition of “Oboe Concerto,” in addition to American composer Jonathan McNair’s contemporary composition “Meditation on Mercy.” Mozart’s “Oboe Concerto” has an expressive and melodic nature that is very pleasing to most audiences, making it “one of the best known and most important concertos in the oboe repertoire,” says Bussiki. BVSO’s principal oboist Rebecca Fairweather-Haskins will be featured in “one of the finest examples of Mozart’s skill in writing beautiful, expressive and joyful melodies,” he adds. McNair’s “Meditation on Mercy” elegantly sets the mood for the latter half of the evening- the “Requiem.” The spirit of praying for mercy, the theme of Mozart’s “Requiem,” is reflected in the chant melodies on which the piece is based- Kyrie eleison and Asperges me.
Mozart’s mesmerizing “Requiem” will be showcased by the “outstanding accomplished vocal faculty” from Texas colleges and universities, says Bussiki. He adds that he chose to incorporate these individuals in an effort to highlight their duality as both faculty members and successful performers. Blinn College Brenham campus’ Soo Yeon Kim will sing soprano, Jennifer Lane, a faculty member at the University of North Texas, will serve as contralto, tenor Randall Umstead teaches at Baylor University and baritone Hector Vásquez is from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston.
Concert attendees can enjoy a free pre-concert talk in the Forum of the Rudder Theatre Complex one hour prior to the performance. Houstonian Ann Thompson, opera lecturer since 1975, will provide guests with the history and meaning behind the music, in addition to delightful and witty insights regarding the composers. Following the performance, concertgoers will have the opportunity to partake in a social hour with the Maestro at Napa Flats.
“Symphonic music is a beautiful art form that has been around for centuries,” says Nika Hancock, Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra Director of Communications and Marketing. “It is something you can enjoy at a much higher level when you attend an in-person concert.” One thing is for sure, she adds, “It has much more of a moving effect on you.”
Single advance tickets for Mozart for March are $45 for adults and $16 for college students, as well as younger patrons. At-door prices are slightly higher, and the BVSO recommends that attendees purchase tickets in advance through the MSC Box Office by calling (979)-845-1234 or by visiting Texas A&M University’s Box Office website at https://bit.ly/2tUfZ68 or BVSO’s website at https://bit.ly/2VKOxFJ.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2VKOxFJ.
