Transcendence
He rises and begins to round
He drops the silver chain of sound,
Of many links without a break,
In chirrup, whistle, slur and shake.
For singing till his heaven fills,
'Tis love earth that he instills,
And ever winging up and up,
Our valley is his golden cup,
And he the wine which overflows
To lift us with him as he goes.
Till lost on his aerial rings
In light, and then the fancy sings.
—"The Lark Ascending," by George Meredith
The essence of this poem, "The Lark Ascending," is beautifully captured in British composer Ralph Vaughn William's evocative tone poem for solo violin and orchestra. And what better music to inspire the scores of visual artists contributing to the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra's April 17, concert/art exhibition entitled "Transcendence" featuring violin virtuoso, Nurit Bar-Josef.
Were the visual artists inspired by the solo violin's breathtaking flights of fancy in its portrayal of the lark's ascension? Or perhaps they were moved by the orchestra's loving depiction of the countryside and its people through gently rocking folk-tunes? Or maybe their inspiration lies within the symbiotic relationship between the two?
For Lark Ascending, Videographer Brad Avery has created his own response to the 2003-2004 season's central question, "Where Does the Music Take You?" A Fantasia-like Lark Ascending videography will be projected behind the orchestra on a gigantic screen. We hope that it will inspire your own very private journey in response to this question.
Violin virtuoso Nurit Bar-Josef will also perform John Corigliano's Academy Award-winning score to "The Red Violin." Gustav Mahler's Symphony #5 with its popular Adagietto will conclude the program. For me, this transcendent symphony calls to mind Mahler's conviction that "a symphony is an entire world."
These three evocative symphonic masterpieces have inspired visual artists' response to the music and to the concert's theme, "Transcendence." The artists' wonderfully diverse responses will comprise a one-night-only exhibition in the concert hall lobbies beginning at 6:30 p.m. on April 17.
ASO AUDIENCES have been drawn more deeply into the creative process this season through the dynamic mix of art and music. Next season, we will further heighten your artistic experience and involvement through collaborations with The National Gallery of Art, Corcoran Art Gallery, Phillips Collection, Sackler and Freer Galleries, and The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The selection of music in each concert is inspired by a major art exhibition at one of these collaborating museums. In turn, visual artists will continue to create original works of art inspired by the music and themes of each concert.
We invite you next season to "Listen to the Art, Envision the Music."
What & When
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra 2004-2005 Season — in collaboration with The National Gallery of Art, The Phillips Collection, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, presents:
*CALIPHS & KINGS: THE ART AND INFLUENCE
OF ISLAMIC SPAIN — Oct 2, 2004 —
Flamenco guitar, singer and dancers
*CALDER MIRO — Nov 13, 2004 —
Alan Mandel, piano
Washington Ballet soloists
*INSPIRED BY NATURE — Feb 12, 2005 —
Kristen Lee, violin
*LAUTREC! — April 2, 2005 —
Misha & Cipa Dichter, Piano duo
*VISUAL MUSIC — May 7, 2005 —
Kim Allen Kluge, Piano/Conductor
Subscriber benefits include 2-for-1 dinner specials and free parking. For further information, call 703-548-0885, or e-mail TBA www.alexsym.org.