Common Themes in January 22 Concert Program

The Houston Symphony’s January 22nd program is a rich offering of French and Russian music from the first quarter of the 20th-century. Among many other qualities, the program’s three pieces–Stravinsky’s Firebird, Ravel’s Pavane, and Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition–reflect the lush harmonic textures of the late romantic and impressionist compositional styles. They are also in a way meditations on human movement, and remind us of the ancient and continuous connection between music and dance. Firebird is a ballet; the Pavane a Spanish, Renaissance court dance. And, while Pictures at an Exhibition is not a dance, the steady pace and atypical meter of its returning Promenade theme musically signifies a walk—movement–through the gallery of Victor Hartmann’s drawings and watercolors.

The theme of physical movement has its metaphorical parallel in the unrivaled power of all three of these pieces to move our interior worlds and stir up deep feeling. Indeed, taken together, the pieces evoke a wide range of emotions, from meditative melancholy to majestic joy before “The Great Gate of Kiev,” the finale of Pictures. Although we’ll be sitting in our seats, the music’s emotional force will no doubt make us feel the exhilaration of a dancer.

Besides reminding us of the connection between music and dance, the music on this program speaks to a certain unity among the arts in that it draws on other arts forms for its inspiration: folk literature (The Firebird Tale) and the visual arts (Pictures). For me, it is always an added pleasure when music refers to the other arts. I take particular delight in experiencing the skillful weaving together and integration of art forms, which has its corollary in the kind of education the University of St. Thomas offers its students. Like composers in control of their craft, University of St. Thomas graduates have a firm grasp of their special fields of study. But beyond that they know how their academic discipline relates to the other disciplines, and how academic disciplines, like the various arts, enrich and inspire each other.

The integrative habit of mind, one that appreciates the significance of the unity of all knowledge, is the essential mind for the 21st-century. The pieces on this program give us a musical example of how satisfying and beautiful such unity can be.

On Tuesday January 22, 2013 at 7:30 PM at Jones Hall, The Houston Symphony will perform a benefit concert supporting the future Performing Arts Center at the University of St. Thomas. General public tickets begin at $35, $55 and $75, and can be purchased HERE or by calling 713-224-7575.

To make a donation, or to purchase a sponsorship package that includes VIP concert tickets, call (713) 942-5003 or email PerformingArts@StThom.edu

PROGRAM
Stravinsky: Suite from The Firebird (1919)
Ravel: Pavane
Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition
ARTISTS
Andrey Boreyko, conductor

ABOUT DR. DOMINIC A. AQUILA
Dr. Dominic A. Aquila was named Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of St. Thomas on Mar. 18, 2009. He took his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from The Juilliard School, the MBA from New York University, and his Doctorate in History from the University of Rochester and the University of South Africa. Before his career in higher education, Dr. Aquila performed as a percussionist with the New York City Opera, the American Ballet Theatre, the American Symphony Orchestra, the New York and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras and a number of Broadway shows. He also managed the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Garth Fagan’s Dance Theatre. In June 2007 he received the Spes Nostra Award for service to Catholic Education from the National Association for Private and Independent Catholic Schools. Dr. Aquila and his wife, Diane, are parents of 11 children. For Dr. Aquila’s full bio, CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Performing Arts Center plans.