Past Seasons | 2007-2008
"Songs of the Heart" - November 2007
Verdi: La Traviatta, Prelude to Act III
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12
Ji Yong, piano
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Schubert Symphony No. 4 Tragic
Join us for our opening program where we highlight the beauty of song as performed by the lyricism of the artists of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony. Verdi’s hauntingly beautiful and tragic Traviatta Prelude melts into Mozart’s frolicsome 12th Piano Concerto. Yet, as always with Mozart, there is cantabile line that pulls on your emotions. Young pianist sensation Ji Yong joins us for his BAS debut. The Schubert “Tragic” Symphony is one of his most under explored treasures, filled with passion, beautiful melodies, and energy!
"Windy Winter" - January 2008
Bay-Atlantic Chamber Players
Mozart: Quintet for Piano and Winds
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Dvorak: Serenade for Winds with "Kinetic Architecture" Dance Troupe
Back by popular demand is our January program which showcases our BAS chamber players. In this case, we highlight the BAS winds. Opening with Mozart’s rich and varied quintet for winds and piano, and closing with Dvorak’s beloved Serenade for Winds, each half has delight, character, and intimate music making at its BAS best!
"Transcending Limits" - March 2008
Mendelssohn: Tales of the
Beautiful Melusina Overture
Ives: Symphony No. 3, “Camp Meeting”
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Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Kai Gleusteen, violin
BAS audiences are always delighted to see Spain-based international violinist Kai Gleusteen return, and this time he he arrives with the rousing Tchaikovsky concerto in his hands. Thought at the time of its composition to be unplayable, this concerto is now a benchmark for violinists, and a delight for all audiences. We open with Mendelssohn’s justifiably favorite of his own overtures, “Melusina.” The tale is essentially that of the Little Mermaid, and the magic of the work’s mellifluous opening contrasts starkly with the middle section where we feel her agonizing first steps on land. Ive’s 3rd Symphony is one of his most exquisite creations: funfilled melodies alternate and combine with hymn-tunes in this work that portrays spiritual revival. In all works, whether exploring technical limits in the Tchaikovsky, the limits between sea and land, or the limits of spiritual communion, we transcend them in this program!
"Spring Awakenings" - May 2008
Lee Pui Ming: Awakening
Jiebing Chen, Erhu (Chinese Violin)
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Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, Pastoral
We are delighted to introduce the BAS audiences to Erhu virtuoso Jiebing Chen. Jed Gaylin worked with her last year, and after discovering her magnetic artistry, and her ability to take this Chinese folk violin to unprecedented artistic levels, he knew he wanted to share her rare gifts with New Jersey. She is a true pioneer of the instrument and performs a beautiful work written by Chinese Canadian Lee Pui Ming for Ms. Chen and premiered by her. The work is called “Awakening” and is sensuous and exquisite. Another work characterized by “awakening” is none other than Beethoven’s 6th Symphony, the “Pastoral.” The first movement is subtitled, “an awakening of cheerful moods upon arrival in the country.” It is season of contrasts, beauties, exploration, and potent emotion. Come and discover why this Symphony has such a loyal and passionate following.