Wednesday, October 14, 2015
It is now the second day since the release of the new Naxos release Kiev: 2014, which features all six of my works for orchestra. What I would like to do is describe each of these works for you. Since the release has been beautifully timed to connect with the world première of the title cut, we will begin with this work.
Not long after Theodore Kuchar and I had agreed that he would direct the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine in the recording of this disc, he challenged me to write a brand new work for Rong-Huey Liu, an oboist who would shortly emerge, in his opinion, as one of the greatest in the world. When I contemplated our trip to Kiev in the middle of winter, in the middle of its conflict with Russia, the music for this seven-minute work came rapidly. Let me describe how it unfolds.
Kiev 2014: Rhapsody for Oboe and Orchestra (2014) reflects on the history, challenges and hope for Ukraine in the 21st century. The orchestra opens aggressively with dark music inspired by the recent attacks on Eastern Ukraine and Kiev’s tumultuous history of occupation by foreign powers. Reminiscent of ancient chants, a quiet oboe solo is a still, small voice, suggesting the hope of Christ for this land, just as He has been the hope of Kiev since 988, when its rulers first embraced the Christian message. At first, the oboe attracts but a small following: only another oboe, English horn, and harp, even as the brass and percussion rise in warfare against the little band. The strings and woodwinds survey the carnage and endure yet another round of conflict. At last, as the orchestra triumphantly recalls the quiet solo, its melody becomes a paean of hope and victory.
We are so privileged to have Rong-Huey Liu and Theodore Kuchar, who created such a masterful recording of this work in Kiev last December, join the Fresno Philharmonic in the first live performances of this work this Saturday and Sunday. To join us for the performances in Shaghoian Hall in Fresno, please call the Fresno Philharmonic at (559) 261-0600 or order tickets online at http://fresnophil.org/. The concert is justly titled Bruckner’s Cathedral of Sound because the evening will include Anton Bruckner’s Seventh Symphony, as well as Camille Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No. 5, Egyptian, with Pascal Rogé at the piano. I have always dreamed of sharing the concert stage as a composer with Bruckner who expressed his faith in Jesus Christ so profoundly in both his vocal and instrumental masterpieces. This program, therefore, will be one, I believe, that will be long remembered in the Central Valley. I hope you can join us.