Symphony Spotlight
Bass trombonist Chuck Morris discusses the different trombones in the orchestra and performs a duet for bass trombones. Waffles, anyone?
We'd like to share a poem with you, written by Paul Lamar. Paul has been providing program notes for us since 1997.
Paul Lamar lives with his husband, Mark, in Albany, where he teaches, reviews theater for The Daily Gazette, and conducts a chorus. Though he taught high school and college English throughout his career, he was a History of Music major at Yale, so when the opportunity to write program notes came along in 1997, he jumped. Paul says, "It has been a privilege. Thanks to this great orchestra, the staff, and David Alan Miller."
From all of us here at the Albany Symphony, “Thank you, Paul for continuing to share your immense musical knowledge and thoughtful words with the Albany Symphony family.”
Can the Mendelssohn Octet ever be wrong?
Today it was. We sat in short sleeves
And shivered from a mountain breeze along
The back of the concert shed. The cellists wheezed.
The two violists scowled and three violins
Looked bored, barely glancing at their yellowed leaves.
I shifted on my car keys. My shins
Ached. The man beside me puttered sleepily
And I thought, This fickle month: fall begins.
They sawed away dispiritedly
Except for the fresh-faced first chair, a young man
Who leaned into every note. He
Knew that Felix means “happy.” Allegro,
Always piu mosso. He grinned. He fell back,
Tearing the loose hairs from his bow.
Grab hold, attack! he seemed to say .
I looked at the slack faces and smiled:
We were a Mahler lot that day.
Albany Symphony Hour
Tomorrow 5/29 at 6pm tune in to WMHT via 89.1 FM Albany, 88.7 FM Poughkeepsie, or online at wmht.org/classical.
#ICYMI: This Land Sings Launch Party!
Last week we celebrated the release of This Land Sings: Inspired by the Life and Times of Woody Guthrie with our first ever LIVE Zoom party! Click on the links below to hear performances, trivia, discussions of the work, and more!
Check out the winning video from a recent PSA contest held by New York State. Remember, wearing a mask in public helps to stop the spread of COVID-19!
We want your help!
Championing the music of our time is a large part of the Albany Symphony's mission, and we want you to share your favorite new works with us! We're starting a new social media campaign called "New Tune Tuesday", and we want your suggestions! Our "theme" for June is Summer/Solstice, so if you know any fitting pieces of new music, send us an email at patronservices@albanysymphony.com.
Interested in Supporting the Symphony?
Click the button below to make a donation to the Albany Symphony, and help make these virtual activities possible!