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Orchestra to perform 2 very different classics
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Violinist Jeffrey Multer will perform Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto in E Minor."
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Published: November 2, 2009
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In November, two very different eras will collide when the Florida Orchestra's program features Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto in E Minor," followed by the Beatles-inspired "Classical Mystery Tour." Whether born in 1844 or 1964, both musical standards have had lasting significance among various cultures and generations, proving the breadth of the term "classic."
In 1835, Felix Mendelssohn was the principal conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. He began composing "Violin Concerto in E Minor" in 1938 as a token of respect for his childhood friend Ferdinand David, whom he appointed as the orchestra's concertmaster.
"It's one of the most famous violin concertos. We teach this to our students when they are way too young to be playing it. After I started practicing it [for the November concert], I realized that it's so hard. It's so demanding and exacting. You hear how difficult it really is. The more I work on it, the more I can't believe I played this when I was 12," said concertmaster and violinist Jeffrey Multer.
The program also includes James MacMillan's "The Sacrifice: Three Interludes" and "Symphony No. 4" by Vaughan Williams.
More than 100 years after Mendelssohn first unveiled "Violin Concerto" in Leipzig, the Beatles rocked the world on "The Ed Sullivan Show." In 1977, the musical revue "Beatlemania," which celebrated the Beatles' life and music, became a Broadway sensation. The show sparked an album, a movie and revival tours. "Classical Mystery Tour" is one of those revivals.
The "Mystery Tour's" tribute band is made up of Chris Camilleri (Ringo), Jim Owen (John), Thomas Teeley (George) and Tony Kishman (Paul). They've been touring and performing with dozens of orchestras across the country, including the Florida Orchestra during the 2004-2005 season.
"A lot of Beatles tunes had string accompaniment and orchestral textures," said Henry Adams, associate director of marketing and communications for the Florida Orchestra. "All of that is in this [performance]. To hear it live is like, 'Goosebumps! Wow!'"
Costume changes occur throughout the show to represent each period in Beatles history. According to Adams, you'd swear you were watching and listening to the original band members.
"It's kind of spooky, but a delightful kind of spooky. You really have to do a double take. Who are these guys really?" Adams said.
The common link between the Beatles and Mendelssohn is the enduring quality of their respective compositions. Their work has been listened to, recorded, played and written about for years. And there's a reason for that.
"When something that has staying power, especially in music, it says something and means something and gives you some sort of emotional connection. It can be the Beatles, Mahler or Beethoven," said Adams.
CONCERT PREVIEW
Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor
WHAT: Masterworks with conductor James MacMillan and violinist Jeffrey Multer
WHEN AND WHERE: 8 p.m. today at Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa; 8 p.m. Saturday at Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg; 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater
TICKETS: $20 to $67; call (727) 892-3337 or 1-800-662-7286, or go to www.floridaorchestra.org
Classical Mystery Tour
WHAT: Pops with guest conductor Martin Herman and members of the Broadway show "Beatlemania"
WHEN AND WHERE: 8 p.m. Nov. 27 at Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa; 8 p.m. Nov. 28 and 2 p.m. Nov. 29 at Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg
TICKETS: $20 to $67; call (727) 892-3337 or 1-800-662-7286, or go to www.floridaorchestra.org
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