‘Forces of Nature’ concert honors nature

WATERBURY — The WSO concludes its 80th season on Earth Day with a celebration of nature. “Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony is an expansive, lyric respite for this revolutionary of 19th century music. Stravinsky saw nature in all its wildness and spring as a rebirth of life from roots as ancient as the earth itself.

His music for the ballet, “The Rite of Spring,” stirred sensation at its 1913 premiere, changing the course of music history forever,” symphony members said in a release.

The concert, conducted by WSO Music Director and conductor Leif Bjaland, is the final in the Symphony's 2017-2018 Subscription Series at NVCC.

According to Bjaland, “These pieces are like two sides of the same naturalistic coin. Beethoven celebrates the transcendent beauty of nature, the light reflecting through green leaves and babbling brooks. Even his thunderstorm is less threatening than thrilling! Stravinsky on the other hand views nature as a powerful, even terrifying force.

Stravinsky dominated 20th century music in the same way the Beethoven dominated 19th. They are both works of towering genius.”

Single tickets start at $20, with special discounts available for students. Subscribers receive exclusive benefits all season long, with flexible packages beginning at just $54.

To learn more, visit www.waterburysymphony.org, or call 203-5744283.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra will present Forces of Nature in honor of Earth Day on Sunday at Naugatuck Valley Community College.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra will present Forces of Nature, a concert in honor of Earth Day, on Sunday at Naugatuck Valley Community College.