CCM’s Wind Orchestra. Photography by Dottie Stover.
The CCM Wind Orchestra concludes 2013 with a spectacular performance of French wind classics at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Corbett Auditorium.
Director of Wind Studies Glenn D. Price wields the baton as conductor and music director of the prestigious CCM Wind Orchestra, treating the audience to the spectacular composition “Suite Française” by Darius Milhaud, an early 19th century French composer and teacher. Milhaud’s “suite” takes the listener on a daring audible journey through the French countryside beginning on the west coast and moving through France, telling the tale of each region. Audiences will be delighted as the orchestra touches on themes from the beloved Normandie, Bretagne, Ile-de-France, Alsace-Lorraine and Provence regions.
The Wind Orchestra also presents an intriguing composition by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns, one of France’s most renowned composers. “Occident et Orient” will once again take the audience on a musical journey, crossing cultures from west to east. The piece begins with a rousing march, then transitions into an homage to Turkish janissary music before returning to western themes for its exhilarating finale. Saint-Saëns is also known for his compositions “Carnival of the Animals,” the opera “Samson and Delilah,” “Danse Macabre” and the “Organ Symphony.”
The Wind Orchestra will also perform “Children’s Overture,” a gem by early 20th century French composer Eugene Joseph Bozza. Audiences will be enchanted by Bozza’s elegant, lyrical style.
“Dionysiasques” is a spirited composition by Florent Schmitt inspired by Dionysis, Greek god of the grape harvest, wine and madness. This composition describes a raucous evening festival held in Dionysis’ honor. It begins with the slower party preparations and evolves into a march as the fête kicks into high gear. The music becomes more and more hectic until the final jubilant climax. Schmitt’s other works include “La tragédie de Salome” and “Psalm 47.”
“Pantomime,” one of Pierre Mercure’s first compositions, was completed in 1948. During this time period, Canada, Mercure’s homeland, was going through a national identity shift. This has sparked a debate as to whether “Pantomime” is a nationalistic piece or whether it expresses the influences of the budding surrealist movement. Despite the debate surrounding Mercure’s intentions, “Pantomime” is a lyrical and dramatic piece. It reflects the influences of the French masters, while retaining its own personality and sense of joy. Audiences will happily follow the story of “Pantomime” which depicts a sleeping figure waking, playing gleefully and returning to a resting state.
Performance Times
8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4
Location
Corbett Auditorium, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets to the “The French Revolution” are $12 for general admission, $6 for non-UC students and FREE for UC students with valid ID.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online at ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice.
Parking and Directions
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.
For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.
For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.
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CCM Season Presenting Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Community Partner: ArtsWave
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