PROGRAM
Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36
Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile
Intermission - please enjoy refreshments in the Lobby
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
I. The Sea and Sinbad's Ship
II. The Kalandar Prince
III. The Young Prince and the Young Princess
IV. Festival at Baghdad. The Sea. The Ship Breaks against a Cliff Surmounted by a Bronze Horseman
The Kirkland Civic Orchestra is an all-volunteer classical symphony orchestra offering free concerts in the Seattle area. We perform at locations in the Eastside community and in the Seattle Area approximately four times a year.
The Kirkland Civic Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization. Your donations buy music, rent rehearsal space, and bring concerts to life!
Saturday, May 20, 2023, 1:00pm
Lake Washington High School Performing Arts Center
Join us for an afternoon of Grieg and Beethoven. Kaia Selden performs Beethoven's Violin Concerto.
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About the director
James has been a professional musician since 1982. He has degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting as well as study toward a Masters of Arts in Musicology from California State University at Los Angeles. In 1983, James made his conducting debut with the Pasadena Chorale and Orchestra with his orchestration of ‘Rejoice in the Lamb’ by Benjamin Britten.
James has studied conducting with Roger Wagner, William Hatcher and Sergio Siminovich and specializes in music from the Medieval to Baroque periods. Locally, he conducted the Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major and Vaughan Williams 3rd symphony in the Northwest Mahler Festival reading sessions in 2004 and 2014, and has sung with the Tudor choir. James served as the Assistant Conductor for the Lake Union Civic Orchestra for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons.
James’ leadership of the Kirkland Civic Orchestra started in 2004, during the time when the orchestra was then called the Microsoft Orchestra. He is currently a Senior Software Engineer in the Azure division.
** Concert Master
* section leader
Violin I
Tamara Collins
Janet Colucci
Eric Gold
Amnon Govrin **
Matthew Guenther
Justin Hagood
Rebecca Harbke
Jerry He
Kate Kerkering
Michael King
Lea Melki
Amy Metting
David O'Brien
Hemanth Srinivas
Lillian Steiner
Violin II
Feather Asmussen
Paula Chester-Libes
Alyssa De Leon
Loren Den Herder
Heidi DuPuis
Shelby Eaton *
Eileen Hsu
Derek Leung
Fran Pope
Emma Schmidgall
Kathy Truher
Caitilin Walsh
Viola
Bill Avery
Caroline Danzi
Maren Kilmer
Geoffrey King
Libby Landy *
Dan Pope
Nisha Rajesh
Loretta Rickards
Zann Tipyasothi
Violoncello
Diane Asness
Ben Childs
Victoria Clarke
Eric Crockett
Eugene Ng
Laurie Spencer *
Lauren Swiderski
Steven Weber
Bass
Tim Corrie, Jr.
Louie Hackett *
Peter Yang
Bob Zasio
Flute
Douglas Gallatin
Scott Moore *
Amy Swanson-King
Oboe
Christie Cabrera *
Matthew Broadhead
(+English Horn)
Clarinet
Mae Kane
Anita Wong *
Bassoon
Lev Iskolskiy *
Eric Spradling
French Horn
Ken Adamson
Oleg Gouts
Jackie Lee
Ryan Roberts *
Rebecca Thompson
Trumpet
Charles Allard
James Dooley
David Spangler *
Trombone
Kelly Grounds
Greg Hirakawa
Matthew Stoecker *
Tuba
Francis Langlois
Percussion
John Beisner
Gabriel Benting
Samuel Benting
Shane Benting *
Scott Binette
Eric Danne
Harp
Tamara Dobranic
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a Russian composer, conductor, and teacher, widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Russian classical music tradition. He was born into a noble family in Tikhvin, Russia, and showed an early interest in music, learning to play the piano and violin as a child.
In 1861, Rimsky-Korsakov entered the Russian Navy, where he served for several years and developed his skills as a composer in his spare time. He eventually left the navy to focus on music full-time, studying with prominent composers of the time, including Mily Balakirev.
Rimsky-Korsakov's music is known for its exotic and colorful orchestration, inspired by his interest in Russian folk music and other musical traditions from around the world. His most famous works include the symphonic suite Scheherazade, the opera The Golden Cockerel, and the Russian Easter Overture.
In addition to his work as a composer, Rimsky-Korsakov was a respected conductor and teacher, serving as the director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory from 1871 to 1906. He played a key role in the development of the Russian classical music tradition and influenced many other composers who followed in his footsteps.
Russian Easter Overture, Op. 3
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Overture is a grand orchestral composition that captures the spirit of the Easter celebration in the Russian Orthodox Church. The piece begins with a slow and solemn introduction, featuring a beautiful melody played by the cellos and basses. This section is meant to evoke the mood of the church service that precedes the Easter festivities. The music gradually builds in intensity and leads to the main section of the overture, which is lively and colorful. Here, Rimsky-Korsakov employs his trademark skill in orchestration, with the brass and percussion sections taking center stage. The music is full of energy and movement, with a sense of celebration and joy that reflects the spirit of Easter.
In the final section of the overture, Rimsky-Korsakov brings back the opening theme in a triumphant coda. This section features the full orchestra playing at maximum volume, with the brass and percussion sections creating a powerful and majestic sound. The music reaches a climax with a series of crashing chords, before resolving into a final triumphant statement of the main theme. Throughout the piece, Rimsky-Korsakov showcases his mastery of orchestration, with rich and colorful textures that bring to life the many themes and melodies that make up the overture. The Russian Easter Overture is a testament to the composer's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the musical traditions of his homeland.
The Russian Easter Overture is a powerful and evocative piece of music that captures the essence of the Easter celebration in Russia. Rimsky-Korsakov's use of orchestration and his skillful handling of musical form make this a masterpiece of the orchestral repertoire. The piece is beloved by audiences around the world and remains one of Rimsky-Korsakov's most popular works. Whether heard in a concert hall or as part of a religious celebration, the Russian Easter Overture continues to inspire and move listeners with its beauty and grandeur.
Scheherazade, Op. 35
Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade is a symphonic suite inspired by the collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories, One Thousand and One Nights. The piece is structured as a series of four movements, each of which depicts a different episode from the tales. The work is considered one of Rimsky-Korsakov's most popular and frequently performed compositions, and it remains a staple of the orchestral repertoire.
The first movement, "The Sea and Sinbad's Ship," introduces the listener to the work's overarching theme: the story of Scheherazade herself, who, in the original tales, is the wife of a sultan who has vowed to execute a new bride each night. Scheherazade saves her own life by telling the sultan a new story each night, leaving him wanting more and delaying her execution indefinitely. This theme is represented musically by the solo violin, which represents Scheherazade, and the richly orchestrated accompaniment, which depicts the sultan and the world of the tales.
The remaining three movements of Scheherazade explore different elements of the stories, including love, adventure, and magic. The second movement, "The Story of the Kalender Prince," is a depiction of a tale in which a prince, disguised as a wandering holy man, falls in love with a princess. The third movement, "The Young Prince and the Young Princess," is a romantic interlude that features solo passages for both the violin and cello. The final movement, "Festival at Baghdad - The Sea - The Shipwreck," brings the work to a thrilling close, depicting a grand celebration in Baghdad that is interrupted by a fierce storm and shipwreck. Throughout the work, Rimsky-Korsakov's masterful orchestration and use of folk melodies from the Middle East and Asia help to create a vivid musical landscape that brings the tales of One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights) to life.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was a Russian composer known for his works in the Romantic era of classical music. He was born into a family of five siblings in Votkinsk, Russia, and showed an early interest in music. After receiving a formal education, he worked as a civil servant for a short time before pursuing a career in music.
Tchaikovsky studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and later became a professor of music theory and composition. His music was well received by audiences, and he composed several famous works, including the ballets Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty, as well as the 1812 Overture and his Symphony No. 5.
Despite his success, Tchaikovsky's personal life was often tumultuous. He struggled with depression, anxiety, and his sexuality. He married a former student, but the marriage was unhappy, and they eventually separated. Tchaikovsky died at the age of 53, possibly from cholera, although rumors persist that he committed suicide.
Despite the controversies surrounding his personal life, Tchaikovsky's legacy as a composer has endured, and his works continue to be celebrated and performed around the world.
Andante cantabile (from String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11)
Tchaikovsky's "Andante cantabile" is a masterpiece of musical expression and emotion. It is a slow and lyrical piece that showcases Tchaikovsky's talent for melody and his ability to convey complex emotions through music. The piece features a simple yet beautiful theme that is repeated and developed throughout, creating a sense of continuity and unity. The melody is at once poignant and tender, evoking a deep sense of longing and nostalgia.
Originally written as the second movement of Tchaikovsky's String Quartet No. 1 and based on a folk song the composer heard at his sister's house at Kamenka whistled by a house painter, “Andante cantabile" has become one of Tchaikovsky's most famous works in its own right. The piece has been arranged for various instruments and ensembles, including Tchaikovsky’s own arrangement for Cello and String Orchestra. It is often performed at weddings, funerals, and other special occasions, and has become a beloved and timeless classic in the classical music repertoire.
The beauty of "Andante cantabile" lies not only in its exquisite melody but also in the way that Tchaikovsky uses harmonies and dynamics to convey a sense of depth and complexity. The piece begins with a quiet and mournful introduction, gradually building in intensity and emotion until it reaches a powerful and cathartic climax. Throughout the piece, Tchaikovsky employs a range of musical techniques to create a sense of drama and tension, ultimately leading to a deeply satisfying resolution that leaves the listener feeling moved and uplifted.
We would like to thank 4Culture for their continued support of the arts, heritage, public art, and historic preservation all over King County, ensuring access to cultural opportunities for all.
Platinum Sponsors $1000+
Microsoft Employee Giving Program
William Owen
Setsuko & Richard Reeves
Gold Sponsors $500-$999
Anonymous
Silver Sponsors $100-$499
Nancy & Ray Brady, Jr.
Matt Broadhead
Shelby Eaton
Doug Gallatin
Amnon Govrin
Susan Harris & Stephen Walli
Caitilin Walsh & Alfred Hellstern
Daniel Hellstern
Loretta Rickards
Hemanth Srinivas
Silvia Wilson
Contributors $50-99
Rudy Gilmore
Danny Hellstern
Nancy Johnson
Amy & Geoff King
Francis Langlois
Tommie Zabrowski
Own a business? Contact the Kirkland Orchestra Treasurer at treasurer@kirklandorchestra.org if you or your company would be interested in becoming a corporate sponsor and have your business name displayed in our future programs.
Special thanks
Matthew Kruse, Lake Washington High Band Director
Natalie Fuentes, Lake Washington High Orchestra Director
Mark Staiff, Lake Washington Performing Arts Ctr, Theater Manager
and all of our wonderful Volunteers!!
