The Washington University Symphony Orchestra will present a concert of music drawn from theatrical works at 3 p.m. Feb. 25 in Graham Chapel. The concert is free and open to the public.
Dan Presgrave, instrumental music coordinator in the Department of Music in Arts & Sciences, will conduct the concert, which highlights Aaron Copland’s music for the ballet “Rodeo.” Also on the program are the “Masquerade Suite” of Aram Khachaturian and Frederick Delius’s “The Walk to the Paradise Garden.”
The music for “Rodeo” is considered one of Copland’s (1900-1990) signature achievements. Its theme, popularity and blend of folk tunes — along with the composer’s own musical vocabulary — helped create a new sound, often labeled “American” within the classical music milieu.
Set on a Southwestern ranch, “Rodeo” plays out in five distinct musical sections: “Buckaroo Holiday,” “Corral Nocturne,” “Ranch House Party,” “Saturday Night Waltz” and “Hoe-Down.”
Following its successful 1942 premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House, Copland omitted the third section to form his noted suite for orchestra titled “Four Dance Episodes From Rodeo.”
Khachaturian (1903-1978) is a Russian composer of Armenian heritage. In 1941, he was asked to compose incidental music for a melodrama, “Masquerade,” by Mikhail Lermontov, which is set at a masked ball in St. Petersburg in 1830.
Delius’ (1862-1934) “The Walk to the Paradise Garden” is a serene and placid instrumental interlude from his opera “A Village Romeo and Juliet.”
The Washington University Symphony Orchestra comprises more than 70 members from across the University.
For information, call 935-4841 or e-mail staylor@wustl.edu.