The Northwest Civic Orchestra is scheduled to perform on Saturday, November 4 at the Nelson Performing Arts Auditorium on the campus of Northwest College. The concert, titled “Take Flight”, begins at 7 p.m. and was inspired by the word “soar”, whether in physical flight, personal accomplishment, or in thoughts of the heavens.
Tickets are $12 for general admission and $8 for seniors (62 and up) and may be purchased at the door. Students and children are admitted free of charge.
The program opens with the “Procession of the Meistersingers” from Act III of Wagner’s lengthy opera, “The Meistersingers”, a guild of amateur singers in 16th century Nuremburg, who held to strict rules and intricate rules in composition. The winner of their music contest would win the hand of the sweet Eva. The competition came down to a struggle between two contestants, newcomer Walther von Stolzing, and arrogant Sextus Beckmesser. The latter’s song follows all the traditional rules laid down by the Mastersingers, and yet it is clearly inferior to Walter’s “Prize Song,” which boldly breaks them.
Concertgoers will also be treated to “The Typewriter”, a long-time favorite by Leroy Anderson, usually belonging to a percussionist. Even though typewriters are now found no more often than rotary telephones, the witty piece remains popular among concert goers.
The most well-known song from Man of La Mancha, entitled “The Impossible Dream”, is part of the program as well. It tells the story of Don Quixote, one of hope and despair, nobility, loyalty, and chivalry, which continues to resonate in every age.
Also featured are pieces from the 1985 Academy Award winning film “Out of Africa” starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep and renowned for its musical score, and the 2010 film “How to Train Your Dragon”, whose music sets the tone for a tale of dragons and a Viking village coming into harmony.
Finally, Mendelssohn Reformation Symphony was inspired by the Augsburg Confession of 1530, which defined the theological beliefs of Martin Luther. On the 300th anniversary of that historic document, Felix Mendelssohn celebrated the milestone with what has become known as his “Fifth Symphony”, subtitled, “The Reformation”, and inspired by Luther’s Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”.
That stands as the theme for the final movement, first as a simple choral, then interspersed among other themes. The symphony concludes with a majestic full orchestral unison and beautifully harmonized statement of the hymn.