Percussionist Crummel featured in CSO concert
Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will play music by Brahms in tonight’s concert at the Tivoli Theatre — but patrons certainly won’t be lulled to sleep by the pieces chosen.
The performance will open with James MacMillan’s powerful percussion concerto “Veni, veni, Emmanuel” featuring CSO Principal Percussionist Chad Crummel. The piece features gongs, log drums, cowbells, marimba and conga drums.
“’Veni veni Emmanuel’ absolutely blew me away the first time I saw it performed live,” says Crummel. “The piece is divided into five sections, but they all run together to create a 25-minute nonstop journey across a wide variety of percussion instruments on the stage. It’s an incredibly powerful piece, and I’m really excited to bring it to life in Chattanooga.”
“Fanfare for Rosa: A New Citizen,” written by local composer Tim Hinck, will follow. The piece explores the experience of young immigrants in the United States.
“My mother’s parents and my father are immigrants to this country,” says Hinck. “I wanted to write a fanfare that celebrates stories of all immigrants, but also captures the excitement, hope and terror of coming to a new country as a small child. I wrote this piece after interviewing some of our neighbors who made this momentous transition, and this fanfare is dedicated to them all.”
The second half of the concert will feature Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1. Its four movements took the composer 21 years to complete from sketches to finish.
Prior to the concert, ticketholders are invited to a Spotlight Talk hosted by Hinck and featuring Crummel. Following the concert, a Postlude reception will be held in the lobby, offering guests a chance to meet the musicians and guest artists.
Tickets range from $21 to $85, with discounts for students and music educators. Tickets may be purchased by calling 423267-8583.