Cambridge Symphony Orchestra presents: Transcendence
On Sunday, March 13, music director Cynthia Woods leads the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, a world premiere by British-born composer Donald Fraser, and Dvořák’s joyful Symphony No. 8. Tickets can be purchased online. This concert was made possible by a generous donation from David and Barbara Garlock. The Cambridge Symphony Orchestra thanks the Massachusetts Cultural Council for supporting the 2021-22 season.
Admittance for attendees of all ages is subject to compliance with the Somerville Theatre’s policies, including but not limited to any COVID-19 vaccination policy requirements, which require either proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of admittance listing the attendee’s name and the date of such test. Over-the-counter COVID-19 test results will not be accepted for entry. Additionally, attendees must follow the Public Indoor Face Covering Mandate issued by the Somerville Board of Health.
Donald Fraser’s "Elegy: A Symphonic Portrait" for orchestra, cello and soprano was commissioned by the CSO after cellist Joanna Jerison’s sudden and untimely death in October 2020. Harnessing the emotional power of poetry by Shakespeare, John Donne and W. B. Yeats, Fraser explores the entanglement of joy and sorrow that results from deep love and celebrates the life of a remarkable person who had a profound effect on those around her. This world premiere is a poignant moment for CSO musicians as they mourn one of their own. "Elergy" features Indra Thomas as soprano and Rafael Popper-Keizer on cello.
Antonín Dvořák’s biographer Otakar Sourek explained that Dvořák had “[h]is own garden in Vysoká [the state-sponsored retreat in southern Bohemia], which he loved ‘like the divine art itself,’ and the fields and woods through which he wandered…. [were] a welcome refuge, bringing him not only peace and fresh vigor of mind, but happy inspiration for new creative work.” His Eighth Symphony reflects the delight of being amid such rich natural landscapes plus attempts to articulate his musings on the relationship between nature and life.
Graphic design & image credit: Michael Sherman