The USM School of Music presents the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Lehmann in a concert featuring Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral." Soloists are Elisabeth Marshall, soprano; Margaret Yauger, mezzo-soprano; Martin Lescault, tenor; and Malcolm Smith, bass.

A major musical event for the School, this concert will also feature the USM Chorale, the USM Chamber Singers, and the USM Invitational High School Choir conducted by Nicolás Alberto Dosman. The High School Invitational Choir includes singers from Cheverus, Greely, Massabesic, and Noble High Schools.

The concert will be held on Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m. in the spacious Westbrook Performing Arts Center at 471 Stroudwater Street in Westbrook. Tickets are $8 for adults, and $5 for students, seniors, USM employees and alumni. For reservations, contact the Music Box Office at www.usm.maine.edu/music/boxoffice or 207-780-5555.

Conductor Robert Lehmann calls Beethoven's 9th Symphony 'Choral' one of the most amazing pieces of music ever written. Nicholas Cook, author of a 2009 book about the work, describes it as a "construction of mirrors, reflecting and refracting the values, hopes, and fears of those who seek to understand and explain it." The comments of Beethoven's own contemporaries who heard it ranged from "crazily utopian humanist idealism" to the "culmination of its author's genius." In short, the piece inspired not only the "methodology of musical analysis", but a statement of "social change, emotional hope and even of political reform" (Cook). There is no doubt that this inspiration is as strong today as any other time in history.

Dr. Lehmann describes the work as the first example of a programmatic symphony, requiring text to fully express what the emotional content of the music. Beethoven, writing this after he became totally deaf, masterfully bridges the gap between the orchestral and choral worlds, using the orchestra for the recitation of emotionally charged ideas. In the last movement he quotes each of the previous movements before embarking on the final Ode to Joy section of the symphony. Throughout the last 200 years, this work has served to embody the most important social and political events of the times, from the ideals of the French Revolution, to which Beethoven held with passion, to the fall of the Berlin Wall. After a discordant and cacophonous introduction, we transition to a solo voice urging us with, "Friends, let's not have this discord," and inviting us to enjoy equality, fraternity and brotherhood as put forth in Schiller's triumphant Ode to Joy.

"If you've never heard 'Beethoven 9' live, do not pass up this opportunity," says Dr. Lehmann. "The USM School of Music is fortunate to have the necessary resources to mount this epic work, and invite the audience to share in the talent of our students and faculty, and our community partners.

Also featured on this program are the winners of the 2015-16 USM Concerto/Aria Competition. Kevin Schaefer, bassoon, will perform Bernard Crusell's (1775-1838) Bassoon Concertino in B-flat. Countertenor Christopher Garrepy will sing arias by Handel (1685-1759). Helena Crothers-Villers, mezzo soprano, will sing Va! laisse couler mes l'armes, from Werther, by Jules Massenet (1842-1912) and pianist Annah Gauthier will perform the first movement of Maurice Ravel's (1875-1937) Piano Concerto in G.

For more information about public concerts and events, and about studying at the USM School of Music, visit www.usm.maine.edu/music.

Members of the press and those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact Lori Arsenault, (207) 780-5142, loria@maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM's telex / TDD number (207) 780-5646.

Members of the press may download high resolution photos here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0rtk3hyoialwopa/2015-11-07%20SMSO%2003.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/obrzb238esciq3z/2015-11-07%20SMSO%2004.JPG?dl=0



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