Classical pieces
Local composer to debut concerto at Anthracite Philharmonic’s spring concert
Music lovers are invited thisweekend to experience the beginning of a young composer’s career, aswell as be stricken by a feeling of musical déjà vu.
The spring Anthracite Philharmonic concert will be held at 3 p. m. Sunday at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven. The cost to enter is $ 20 at the door, but those under age 12 get in for free, according to Linda Kriner, philharmonic board president and orchestra manager.
The pieces to be played include “The Barber of Seville Overture” by Gioachino Rossini; Symphony No. 9, Fromthe New World, also known as the “New World Symphony,” by Antonin Dvorak; and, from a prodigious local artist, Concerto No. 1 by Blue Mountain High School junior Jason Brauer, Kriner said.
“This is the introduction of this young man’s concerto. It’s certainly the centerpiece of what we’re doing. Everything he wrote: the instrumentation, not just the piano part,” but the entire orchestral arrangement, Kriner said.
“This kid has something special. It’s there. He’s been playing since he was 4,” Kriner said with enthusiasm, adding that, “he’s as nice as he is talented.”
He haswon awards on both the state and national level for his composition, and plays music ranging from marching band to classic rock, according to Kriner.
Aside from Brauer’s never before-heard piece, there will be music you’ve certainly heard, perhaps in a commercial or a documentary, although you may not remember where or when.
“When people hear it, they will know they’ve heard it before,” Kriner said of Dvorak’s piece, especially the short and sweet solo part. And playing that part will be Megan Kline, Hamburg.
“She’s by herself on this part… it’s beautiful,” Kriner said. “Everybody would recognize this from somewhere.”
Dvorak was a Czech composer, born near Prague in 1841 in the former Austrian Empire. The song is named after the U. S., the “New World,” and his visit here starting in 1892. Themusic, originally written in E minor, is based on what he heard and considered “black music” in this New World.
“These beautiful and varied themes are products of the soil,” he said during an interviewin the New York Herald, according to the program notes.
Nowthe people on this soil, so
harmonies written by a foreigner who saw the potential of this land like somany of their ancestors.
“We’re providing people with classical music where otherwise you’d have to go to Reading, or Allentown or Philadelphia to get the quality of music that we’re giving them,” Kriner said. “I don’t think a lot of communities our size provide this.… Then you have this young man, who wrote this piano concerto, and it’s the premiere, so I think this is something any music lover would want to be a part of.”
People of all ages and tastes are welcome to come listen, Kriner said.
“We encourage parents to bring kids. Kids will appreciate music as they hear it.”
The Anthracite Philharmonic will next be performing their patriotic concert July 1. By popular demand, they will be bringing back “Spooky Strings” in October at the Majestic Theater.
Members of the violin section of the Anthracite Philharmonic, from left, Margaret Lerch, Lindsey Dye and Zoe Tidmore, rehearse for the group’s upcoming spring concert, scheduled for 3 p. m. Sunday at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Bob Nowak, Shenandoah, plays the timpani drum with the Anthracite Philharmonic.