Schwob Philharmonic Orchestra to Perform April 27

Written by Jonathan Anuforo

Image via Schwob School of Music

With the semester coming to an end, the students getting ready for finals, and the summer shuffling in, the Schwob School of Music is presenting an amazing lineup of performances conducted by Professor Paul Hostetter and his Protégé, Enluis Manuel Montes Olivar, a graduate student of the Schwob School of Music. Professor Hostetter is so passionate about diversity, which is evident in his conducting and concert programming. The last concert of the semester given by the Schwob Philharmonic Orchestra will take place on April 27, featuring pieces by diverse composers and, more specifically, a work by a living female African American composer, Valerie Coleman. The concert will consist of four pieces by Giacomo Puccini- Manon Lescaut, Valerie Coleman - Seven O’Clock Shout, Till Eulenspiegel's lustige Streiche, TrV 171, op. 28, and Paul Hindemith’s Mathis  Der.

The third opera of Giacomo Puccini, Manon and Lescaut, is based on the story of Abbe Prevost. Puccini was also known primarily for his operas, which were rooted in traditional late-nineteenth-century romantic Italian opera and regarded as one of the most successful composers of the genre. The opera tells the tale of love and was written by five librettists. It premiered on February 1, 1893.

Another piece on the program is by Valerie Coleman, an African American composer. Her work, Seven O’clock shout, like Puccini's, takes a realist approach known as verismo; however, in this case, it was not inspired by love but by the frontline health workers during the pandemic. Her compositions often incorporate diverse musical genres like classical and jazz, and she is often inspired by political and social themes.

Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Prank, after the old rogue’s tale, was Strauss’s fourth tone poem, composed in 1895 and written in rondo form for a large orchestra.  In medieval German folklore, Till was a free-spirited prankster and was never happier than when making fun of people. This tone poem is one of Strauss’s short and most eventful works, with a fascinating synopsis. In this piece, the composer tells the story through the experimentation of the different sounds and instruments of the orchestra.

Last of the program is Paul Hindemith’s Mathis Der. The Libretto of Mathis Der was written by Hindemith, which he completed in 1935, and was first performed in Operhaus Zurich on May 28th, 1938, conducted by Robert Denzler. Paul Hindemith was a German and American composer, Violist, conductor, and music theorist. As a composer, he became the leading figure of a new musical style, New Objectivity, in the 1920s. The work is about a protagonist in the reformation called Matthias Grenward, who is considered a historic figure and whose art inspired many creative figures in the early 20th century. The story reflects Hindemith’s life as an artist before he fled from Germany.

This concert is free and open to the public; however, if you are not in town on the day of this production, you can also join live on the school’s YouTube or Facebook page at “Schwob School of Music”.

If You Go:

What: Schwob Philharmonic

When: April 27 at 4PM

Where: Legacy Hall, RiverCenter

Free admission.