Spring ConCert SerieS

Spring 2010 VoLUMe 8 - no. 3 Bend, oregon

I think that our Music Director Michael Gesme’s decision to program Johannes Brahms’ German Requiem for our Spring Concert Series is fitting and comforting and ultimately uplifting as a reminder that most things and all people do change and/or pass away. And we as people who remain are vessels of remembrance. And love. Love for people, both family and friends, for moments in time that pass away even though we felt they would never end. If something weighs heavy on our hearts there can be no better time than spring to let it go and to find peace with things that are beyond our control. Spring reminds us that life moves forward and so can and should we.

This spring our musicians will be joined by singers from the Cascade Chorale and the Central Oregon Mastersingers to present Brahms’ masterpiece Ein deutsches Requiem. I believe that it will be a glorious opportunity for all of us to share in a music experience that has the power to bring spring into our lives. I hope to see you at the symphony ― Danielle

his passion for the German language he loved made him consider other possibilities for creating his own requiem―perhaps even a translation of the Latin into German so the texts could truly be understood by his audience.

Ultimately Brahms chose to abandon the original text entirely, which centers on petitions for the deceased, and instead focuses on those who mourn. He chooses texts from Martin Luther’s German translation of the Bible that express comfort for their sorrow. Indeed the first words sung are “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted,” and “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Matthew 5:4 and Psalm 126:5). The title for the work, Ein deutsches Requiem or A German Requiem, was given by Brahms as a way to acknowledge the language of the text, not the audience that would be listening. Brahms once commented that he would have gladly titled the work a “Human” requiem, emphasizing that death is part of the human experience. His choice of text, exquisite lyricism, and mastery of musical style has been a source of solace and consolation for nearly 150 years.

re-qui-em: middle english, from latin...meaning quiet or rest. It is the first word of the Catholic mass used for funerals and represents an entire genre of musical compositions to honor the dead. Composers from every era have used the original Latin texts to create a setting of the requiem mass that reflects the music of their time. There is little doubt that Brahms was aware of this tradition. However,

Music Director and Conductor, Michael Gesme

saturday, may 15, 2010 at 7:30 pm • sunday, may 16, 2010 at 2:00 pm monday, may 17, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Ein deutsches Requiem...............................................................................................................................Johannes Brahms

from the eXeCutiVe direCtor...I think of spring as a time to throw open the doors and invite the outdoors in, plant the garden, enjoy the skip in my step, and bask in a sense of renewal and rebirth. However, unlike the springs of my childhood in the Midwest, the Central Oregon spring can be a capricious one, but still it ekes its way into our lives. Danielle Purdy, Exec. Director

centraloregonsymphonyassociation

Michael Gesme, Music Director & Conductor

Michael Gesme, Conductor Featuring the Cascade Chorale, the Central Oregon Mastersingers, and Guest Soloists Melissa Bagwell, soprano and James Knox, baritone

Mark your calendars for Friday, July 30 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, August 1 at 4:00 pm for a special MIPP series that will be held at Wille Recital Hall at the Bend COCC Campus Center.

The series consists of two separate programs that will feature Claire Wachter and Dean Kramer, piano; Stephen Redfield and Connie Kupka, violins; David Speltz, cello; and Stephanie Janin, flute.

Highlights from the performances include the Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor by Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, and Cello Sonata in G Minor by Frederic Chopin.

Music in Public Places is a free concert series. We expect seating to fill quickly, so be sure to arrive early, Doors open a half hour before performance. Concert information will be posted on our website beginning in June at cosymphony.com.

It’s back! And last year’s inaugural Young Artist Competition proved that there is no shortage of talented young musicians residing in Central Oregon.

If you attended our recent winter concert series and heard three of our young winners and if you have attended COS concerts and seen and heard 2009 second place senior division finisher Michael Hodecker on violin then you know this is a competition worth paying attention to. This year’s competition will take place on Saturday, June 5, 2010; applications are due by May 29th. For more information please contact Michael Gesme at mgesme@cocc.edu or at 541-383-7516 or look online at cosymphony.com for rules and applications. Thank you.

take Cos music with You on VacationGet a head start on your summer vacation packing and pick up some Central Oregon Symphony CDs at the Spring Concert. Music is a timeless and beautiful gift to share with those you visit and meet on your summer travels. Our CD includes highlights from

the COS 2007-2008 Season conducted by Michael Gesme and features violinist Linda Wang and Harpist Jeff Parsons. To order by phone call us at 541-317-3941. The CDs are one for $10, three for $20 and five for $30.

Kyle ruggles’ talent takes him far

on-line donations, easY to doIt’s easy! Just visit our website at cosymphony.com and follow the instructions. You will receive an acknowledgement letter expressing our gratitude.

read this important Cos ticket informationIf you need extra tickets, if you need to switch concert dates, or if you are on your way to the concert and realize you have forgotten your tickets – don’t turn back! Stop in at the Will Call table and we will gladly assist you by providing you with the tickets that you need.

news “of note”

Burns resident Kyle Ruggles, COSA’s f irs t Young Artis t Competition winner (2009 senior division) and a soloist at our 2010 Winter Concert Series is heading across the country this fall to the nation’s oldest independent conservatory, the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. While there he will study with renowned flutist Paula Robison.

Kyle auditioned for a spot at the conservatory just before he played with COS this past winter. His brilliant and passionate talent captivated the hearts and imaginations not only of our audience but also caught the attention of Ms. Robison, one of the world’s most famous performers and teacher of the flute. Presently, Kyle studies with COS flutist Pamela Hughes.

Kyle recently performed to yet another appreciative audience on April 17, 2010 at a solo recital in Hines (a city adjacent to Burns). He was accompanied by Jean Shrader, current COSA board member, regional accompanist and piano instructor. His program included Sonatine by Henri Dutilleux, Fantaisie pastorale hongroise by Albert Franz Doppler and Concerto for Flute by Jacques Ibert. Kyle recently performed the Ibert with COS.

Kyle is planning a reprise of his solo recital sometime this spring to be held in Sunriver at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and in Bend at Wille Recital Hall in the COCC Campus Center. For more information regarding dates and times, please contact Kyle at symphonious@centurytel.net.

All of us wish Kyle the very best as he continues his music education and exciting life journey.

Kyle Ruggles, Flutist

m u s i C i n P u B l i C P l a C e ssummertime Chamber music in BendP i a n o • S t r i n g s • F l u t e

Published by the Central OregOn symPhOny assOCiatiOn (COsa, inC.) PO bOx 7953, bend, OregOn 97708 • (541) 317-3941Visit us Online: www.cOsymphOny.cOm

2010 Cosa Young artist Competition

D e a n K r a m e r and Claire Wachter, p i a n i s t s