The pomp, majesty and beauty of English music has enraptured music lovers for well over a century. Now, local audiences can hear what so many have discovered, as the Gorge Sinfonietta presents The Glory of England on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Wy’east Middle School Performing Arts Center in Odell.
Sinfonietta conductor Mark Steighner says that The Glory of England focuses on the music of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
“This was the so-called second English renaissance, when a new generation of British composers utterly transformed the musical landscape,” Steighner said. “Folk music was rediscovered and world music from as far as Japan found its way into the music of composers like Arthur Sullivan.”
At the heart of the Glory of England program is Gustav Holst’s epic suite for orchestra, The Planets.
“The Planets has been called the ‘best piece of English orchestra music ever written,’” Steighner said. “It’s hard to overstate how powerful, innovative and influential it is, and has been on later generations of film composers.”
The Planets is a musical description of Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
“Holst had just discovered astrology, so the musical identity of each planet is not just based on astronomy, but the mythical character as well,” Steighner said.
The concert also includes the Overture to Pirates of Penzance, Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March #1 (famous at graduation ceremonies everywhere) and selections by George Butterworth and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
“All of our programs this season are accessible and easy to love,” Steighner said. “They’re all great concerts to bring friends and family to, especially those that might not have heard the Sinfonietta or other CGOA ensembles.”
The Glory of England concerts are Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. in the Wy’east Middle School Performing Arts Center in Odell, OR.
Tickets are $25 for adults ($15 for CGOA members), $5 for youth ages 10-17 and free for kids under 10. $5 tickets are available for SNAP/Oregon Trail card holders.
For tickets or additional information, visit gorgeorchestra.org.
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