A tribute to the great

Singer-Songwriter, starring Jim

Curry

John Denver’s generosity of spirit colored his music with a pure, simple grace, casting a spell that crossed the barriers of age, economics, geography, language and politics. Songs like Rocky Mountain High, Thank God I’m A Country Boy and nu-

merous others left audiences hopeful and inspired.

He was a rare combination – a gifted performer and an extraordinary man who

utilized his success to give greater visibility to the many causes that he champi-

oned. The powers of his artistry and world vision continue to touch people’s

hearts all over the world.

“Though his untimely death in 1997 left us with a gap in the world of music his

music still rings true in that his songs blend the images of our natural earth with a

love for each other as people. The care you give to someone you love is the best

care. Making that connection to our earth and to each other is the goal.” Jim

Curry.

"I would so much like young people to have a sense of the gift that they are. Not many of them feel

like that."

~ John Denver

A Symphonic Tribute

to John Denver 10:30am

Friday, Feb. 26

INSPIRATION

John Denver

Annie’s Song

Rocky Mountain High

Back Home Again

Fly Away

Calypso

Sunshine on My Shoulders

Take Me Home Country Roads

And others!

Jim Curry’s tribute to John Denver’s music started when CBS televi-

sion made the TV movie: “Take Me Home, the John Denver Story” in

which he landed an off-camera role singing as the voice of John

Denver. This experience inspired Jim to produce full–length John

Denver tribute concerts.

Jim’s latest efforts take his tribute show to a new level by adding sym-

phony orchestrations back into live performances of John Denver

music. When John Denver wanted to add a full orchestra to his live

shows and recordings, he teamed up with Grammy Award winning

arranger, composer and conductor Lee Holdridge. Jim Curry and Lee

Holdridge have now brought the rebirth of the timeless songs of

America’s troubadour back in a full-length live concert of John

Denver’s greatest works.

In the turbulent times of the 1960s and 1970s

there were a number of folk artists that

voiced the angst of the people, such as Bob

Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Simon and

Garfunkel and John Denver.

With John’s love for the great outdoors his

music, like many other folk singers, led him to

work heavily in environmental conservation

and political activism.

John Denver’s words still ring true in these

times of war and environmental crisis. John

Denver grew rapidly into a mega celebrity

when the world was looking for some hope in

the late 60’s and 70’s. The song “Take Me

Home Country Roads” gave America a new

lift abroad as well as at home. People all over

the world found pride in the natural wonders

of the earth and love for John’s message of

caring for our planet and each other.

A Symphonic Tribute Playlist

Jim Curry

Voice of a Generation

Page 2

John Denver

Jim Curry

Explore and Learn:

During the Cold War the Soviet Union and the United States were on the brink

of starting a Nuclear War. The tensions that these two countries had stemmed from the political and social differences that these countries had. In 1984, John Denver toured the Soviet Union and recorded a duet with Russian pop singer Al-exandre Gradsky, called “Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For?).”

Here are some of the lyrics:

What are we making weapons for Why keep on feeding the war machine We take it right out of the mouths of our babies Take it away from the hands of the poor Tell me, what are we making weapons for

Have we forgotten all the lives that were given All the vows that were taken saying never again Now for the first time this could be the last time If peace is our vision let us begin

What do you think the significance of these lyrics meant to these two countries that were nearly in combat with each other? Do you think

artists can influence changes in policy? Why or why not?

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

As Buffalo’s cultural ambassador, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under Music Director JoAnn Falletta, presents more than 120 Classics, Pops and Youth Concerts each year and reaches more than 40,000 K-12 students per year across all eight counties of Western New

York.

Since 1940, the orchestra’s permanent home has been Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark designed by Eliel and Eero Saarinen with an international reputation as one of the finest concert halls in the United States.

JoAnn Falletta, Conductor

Friday Morning Concert Series

BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC

ORCHESTRA

education@bpo.org

FRIDAY, FEB. 26

The “Enigma” Variations are based on a theme, the origin of which Sir Elgar never revealed to the

listeners, hence its “enigma.” There are 14 variations, each a musical portrait of someone that Sir

Elgar knew well. Elgar writes, “It may be understood that these personages comment or reflect on

the original theme & each one attempts a solution of the Enigma.” Many people have tried to solve

the enigma of the theme (Sir Elgar claimed that it was based on a well known tune which he altered

in some unusual way creating a “hidden melody”) and some say there must be a musical crypto-

gram in the theme, because Sir Elgar loved puzzles and sometimes sent musical cryptographic mes-

sages to friends. To this day, the enigma has not been solved!

After hearing the theme we hear each of the variations in turn:

1 - Listesso tempo............Caroline Alice Elgar, Sir Elgar’s wife 2 - Allegro...................H.D. Steuart-Powell, a pianist and chamber musician 3 - Allegretto................R.B. Townsend, Oxford professor and author 4 - Allegro di molto..........W.M. Baker, a squire (man of high social standing and landowner) 5 - Moderato..................R.P. Arnold, a pianist and son of a poet 6 - Andantino.................Isabel Fitton, a viola student of Sir Elgar’s 7 - Presto....................A.T. Griffith, an architect and one of Sir Elgar’s closest friends 8 - Allegretto................Winifred Norbury, a secretary at the Worcester Philharmonic Society 9 - Adagio....................A.J. Jaeger (Nimrod), a music publisher and a close advisor to Sir Elgar, who often gave him encouragement and advice when the composer was feeling down about his music 10 - Intermezzo: Allegretto....Dora Penny, close friend 11 - Allegro di molto..........G.R. Sinclair, organist at Hereford Cathedral—this variation is inspired by his bulldog! 12 - Andante...................B.G. Nevinson, cellist and friend 13 - Andante...................Lady Mary Trefusis, a well-to-do sponsor of a local music festival 14 - Moderato..................Sir Edward Elgar, a self portrait

Variation 9, often called “Nimrod,” is the most well-known variation and in fact is often performed by itself. The story goes that Sir Elgar was feeling depressed and was going to stop writing music, but his friend A. J. Jaeger came to his house and reminded him that Ludwig van Beethoven also became depressed but continued to write incredibly beautiful music. The beginning of the variation has a hint of Beethoven’s “Pathetique” Piano Sonata.

Sir Edward Elgar grew up in a music shop—his father’s—where he learned to

play many instruments and began composing. He did not enjoy success as a

composer until later in his life when he was recognized for his “Enigma” Varia-

tions, and several other pieces. It is now one of classical music’s most enjoyed

pieces of music, both for its beauty and for the interesting musical portraits

that its creates.

Sir Edward Elgar, English Composer (1857-1934)

Page 4

“Enigma” Variations, Op. 36 composed in 1899, duration is 29 minutes