Photo Credit: Eric Berlin
Rachmaninoff once said that “music comes straight from the heart and talks only to the heart: it is Love!” When you attend an Albany Symphony rehearsal you can see that our musicians truly love what they do. Photo Credit: Eric Berlin
Last weekend, the Albany Symphony performed an epic all-Russian concert at the Palace Theatre. Centered between Borodin’s Prince Igor Overture and Rachmaninoff’s beloved Symphony No. 2, was Dalit Warshaw’s Sirens, a captivating concerto for Theremin and Orchestra.
David Alan Miller, thereminist Carolina Eyck, and the Albany Symphony had 14 hours to prepare for the orchestra’s first performance with the theremin. Did you know that the theremin uses electromagnetic waves to create sound? Our operations team spent a considerable amount of time outside of rehearsal setting the stage and testing equipment (and lights) to limit and prevent interference.
Photo Credit: Eric Berlin
The theremin was invented in 1919 by Soviet Electrical Engineer, Leon Theremin. The original theremin was produced by RCA, but manufactured in Schenectady, NY by GE and in Springfield, MA by Westinghouse. It consisted of a wooden electrical box and two metal antennas. Since its invention, the unique sound and unusual appearance of the instrument has captured the imaginations of composers like Bohuslav Martinu, Olivier Messiaen, and Rachmaninoff, as well as David Del Tredici and Andrew Norman. Carolina’s theremin has been updated for the 21st century.
“Eyck has developed an eight-finger-position technique for coaxing notes out of space. A virtuoso of the invisible, it looks likes she is playing keys.”
Photo Credit: Eric Berlin
One of the thrills of performing new music is being able to work through the creative process alongside the composer. Dalit Warshaw traveled from NYC to work with the Albany Symphony and this wasn’t her first trip: Dalit’s first orchestral work, In the beginning… was premiered by the Albany Symphony when she was 10 years old.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON OPEN REHEARSAL
Photo Credit: Gary Gold
Did you know that your ticket purchase only pays for one-third of a concert? The Albany Symphony relies on the generosity of our patrons and corporate sponsors. Members of the Albany Symphony’s Patron Circle got an insider’s view of the creative process. Anyone can join the Patron Circle by making a $100 donation.
Photo Credit: Gary Gold
“[ The Albany Symphony’s concert] was a mix of the rare and unusual with sublime romanticism for a memorable performance.”
At the top of the concert, David Alan Miller and cellist Cathy Hackert paid tribute to retired bassist, Jeffrey Herchenroder. Jeffrey, a teacher at Guilderland High School joined the Albany Symphony in 1986 and has been a member of the orchestra for over 33 years. Photo Credit: Gary Gold Photography
“Dalit Warshaw’s concerto “Sirens” was a subtle and sophisticated showcase for the instrument and soloist Carolina Eyck played with beautiful expression.”
The first movement of Dalit Warshaw’s concerto, Clara’s Violin, tells the musical story of Clara Rockmore, the muse behind the instrument and the first thereminist.
Photo Credit: Gary Gold
Dalit Warshaw learned to play the theremin from Clara Rockmore. When Clara died in 1998, Dalit resolved to compose art music that celebrated the beauty and mystery of the theremin.
Photo Credit: Gary Gold
“ In its upper range, the theremin resembles a soprano voice, as it did near the close of the opening movement. The instrument displayed a warm humanity and brought to mind the cello during the second movement. ”
Photo Credit Gary Gold Photography
“[Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2] is gorgeous on all levels: soaring melodies of great beauty and longing; interesting part writing and secondary undercurrents; mood shifts that beckon and sustain; and most of all, a marvelous understanding and use of instrumental color”
Photo Credit: Gary Gold Photography
Following a superb performance of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 the crowd responded with thundering applause and a standing ovation. Did you have a favorite piece on the program?
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Thank you to the following concert sponsors.
DID YOU MISS THE CONCERT? DO YOU WANT TO HEAR IT AGAIN?
Hear the performance on Sunday, December 1, 2019 on WMHT LIVE. Tune in at 6PM on-air at 89.1FM Albany, 88.7FM Poughkeepsie or listen online anywhere at WMHT.org/classical.