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First Tennessee Masterworks Series: Hope in America

Presented by Memphis Symphony Orchestra at Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

October 16, 2010

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A program devoted to all things American features famous works celebrating the spirit of this great nation showcasing Copland’s triumphant Fanfare for the Common Man and the beauty of our national landscape in his Suite from Appalachian Spring.  The MSO also gives the world premiere performance of a work by acclaimed composer Osvaldo Golijov.  Conductor: Mei-Ann Chen Guest Artist: Jessica Rivera, soprano. Program: Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man, Tower: Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, Barber: Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Golijov: World Premier Commission, Copland: Suite from Appalachain Spring

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

    255 N. Main Street
    Memphis, TN 38104

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

    $15-$78

    Info Phone: 537-2525

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  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    October 16, 2010

    Times:
    

    8:00 PM

  • Accessibility Info

    

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    • Event Name: First Tennessee Masterworks Series: Hope in America
      "Yes, Virginia, there is Hope in America!"
      Comment posted by: Nathan Powell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver from Memphis, TN, Oct 22, 2010
      

      If you were not at the Canon Center on Saturday, October 16, your life should feel a little less complete. The MSO performed a concert that was not only inspiring, but rejuvenating as well! Spirits... Expand

      If you were not at the Canon Center on Saturday, October 16, your life should feel a little less complete. The MSO performed a concert that was not only inspiring, but rejuvenating as well! Spirits were lifted, hope was instilled and music was made. The opening selection, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, stirred the listeners and was truly a great way to set the mood for the entire concert. Despite the botched entrance by one of the trumpets, the brass and percussion sections were stellar and filled the hall with great anticipation. The Samuel Barber piece, Knoxville, Summer of 1915, was performed second and did not disappoint. The narrator first spoke the text in a mesmerizing fashion before the orchestra and soloist performed. Soprano Jessica Rivera matched the beauty of Barber’s melodies with her graceful performance as she transported the audience to James Agee’s setting. The world premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’s Sidereus followed and showed the versatility of Mei-Ann Chenn’s musical prowess. The piece was one of my favorites of the night. The repetitive descending scale, combined with various melodies spanning the wind section, left an impression that seemed to combine minimalism with more elaborate surprises. The composer received a well-deserved standing ovation at the conclusion of the piece and we were all anxious to hear the selection from his opera, Ainadamar. The Memphis Symphony Chorus joined the orchestra, and Jessica Rivera returned to the stage for this lively choice. The audience was tempted to dance in their seats by the Latin rhythms and dance-like conducting by Mei-Ann. The selection was well received and, combined with the previous piece, placed Osvaldo Golijov in the forefront of each audience member’s mind for a long time to come. Students from the Campus School then took the stage with a wonderful surprise. The children had prepared a performance of the Shaker hymn, Simple Gifts, before the orchestra played the second Copland piece. The audience joined the singers, and the melody that would soon be heard instrumentally sounded from our lips. The children were able to set alight our hearts to receive the warmth of this beloved American classic. The orchestra played Appalachian Spring with tremendous sensitivity, and the audience was left mesmerized, as the openness of the piece seemed to expand the walls of the hall and lift our spirits. For a surprise encore, the MSO performed Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture. This lively piece was welcomed by a cry of, “Oh, Yeah!” from one of the members of the audience. By the end of the piece, Mei-Ann was literally jumping with excitement and the audience wasn’t far behind. This concert proved, once again, that Mei-Ann Chenn is the woman of the year in my book, and that I am in love with our city’s orchestra! Don’t miss another stop on the Journey of Discovery! Collapse

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    • Event Name: First Tennessee Masterworks Series: Hope in America
      "Yes, Virginia, there is Hope in America!"
      Comment posted by: Nathan Powell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver from Memphis, TN, Oct 22, 2010
      

      If you were not at the Canon Center on Saturday, October 16, your life should feel a little less complete. The MSO performed a concert that was not only inspiring, but rejuvenating as well! Spirits... Expand

      If you were not at the Canon Center on Saturday, October 16, your life should feel a little less complete. The MSO performed a concert that was not only inspiring, but rejuvenating as well! Spirits were lifted, hope was instilled and music was made. The opening selection, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, stirred the listeners and was truly a great way to set the mood for the entire concert. Despite the botched entrance by one of the trumpets, the brass and percussion sections were stellar and filled the hall with great anticipation. The Samuel Barber piece, Knoxville, Summer of 1915, was performed second and did not disappoint. The narrator first spoke the text in a mesmerizing fashion before the orchestra and soloist performed. Soprano Jessica Rivera matched the beauty of Barber’s melodies with her graceful performance as she transported the audience to James Agee’s setting. The world premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’s Sidereus followed and showed the versatility of Mei-Ann Chenn’s musical prowess. The piece was one of my favorites of the night. The repetitive descending scale, combined with various melodies spanning the wind section, left an impression that seemed to combine minimalism with more elaborate surprises. The composer received a well-deserved standing ovation at the conclusion of the piece and we were all anxious to hear the selection from his opera, Ainadamar. The Memphis Symphony Chorus joined the orchestra, and Jessica Rivera returned to the stage for this lively choice. The audience was tempted to dance in their seats by the Latin rhythms and dance-like conducting by Mei-Ann. The selection was well received and, combined with the previous piece, placed Osvaldo Golijov in the forefront of each audience member’s mind for a long time to come. Students from the Campus School then took the stage with a wonderful surprise. The children had prepared a performance of the Shaker hymn, Simple Gifts, before the orchestra played the second Copland piece. The audience joined the singers, and the melody that would soon be heard instrumentally sounded from our lips. The children were able to set alight our hearts to receive the warmth of this beloved American classic. The orchestra played Appalachian Spring with tremendous sensitivity, and the audience was left mesmerized, as the openness of the piece seemed to expand the walls of the hall and lift our spirits. For a surprise encore, the MSO performed Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture. This lively piece was welcomed by a cry of, “Oh, Yeah!” from one of the members of the audience. By the end of the piece, Mei-Ann was literally jumping with excitement and the audience wasn’t far behind. This concert proved, once again, that Mei-Ann Chenn is the woman of the year in my book, and that I am in love with our city’s orchestra! Don’t miss another stop on the Journey of Discovery! Collapse

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