Friday, August 28, 2009

Sequenza21/: Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, 'The First Multi-Ethnic Professional Orchestra in Philadelphia'


[Jeri Lynne Johnson, Music Director, The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra]

Sequenza21/
Aug 28 2009
“The First Multi-Ethnic Professional Orchestra in Philadelphia Presents the Opening of its Inaugural Season Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra led by Music Director and Founder Jeri Lynne Johnson will commence its inaugural season with a musical celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This world-class ensemble will perform works by contemporary Latin American composers beautifully contrasted by works from William Grant Still and Beethoven. The first of a three-concert season, the September 19th 7:30pm concert at the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater is FREE and open to the public and is made possible through a partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra and The PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

“TICKET INFO: Tickets, although free, are limited and must be reserved through Ticket Philadelphia (215) 893-1999, online http://www.ticketphiladelphia.org/, or in person at The Kimmel Center Box Office. The concert stage will be shared by a diverse selection of masterworks to illustrate that classical music has been a part of the musical heritage of every color and race.” “Highlights of the concert include: Metro Chabacano by Mexican composer Javier Alvarez (b.1956).” “Aldemaro Romero (1928-2007) is one of Venezuela’s best known composers.” “Astor Piazzolla’s (1921-1992) fame as a composer is linked to the allure of his tangos – their bold rhythms and unusual instrumental combinations. In 1950, however, Piazzolla explored a different compositional path.”

“William Grant Still’s Danzas de Panama. Still was an African-American classical composer who wrote more than 150 compositions and was the first African-American to conduct a major American symphony orchestra. First performed in 1948, Danzas de Panama is based on Panamanian folk themes and evokes vignettes of indigenous dances performed by candlelight, intricate and percussive sounds of zapatas, or shoe-tapping, and even prayer. Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in c minor, Op. 67 is one of the most popular and well-known compositions in all of European classical music, and one of the most often played symphonies.”

“BPCO’s musicians reflect the rich cultural diversity of Philadelphia with the core ensemble consisting of 30 multi-ethnic musicians from the best music conservatories across the nation including the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, and Manhattan School of Music among others.” “Founder Jeri Lynne Johnson, a graduate of Wellesley College and the University of Chicago, is an accomplished conductor, composer and pianist. From 2001-2004, she was the assistant conductor of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, where she dedicated herself to bringing inspiring new music to the stage. She has led orchestras around the world including the Colorado Symphony, Bournemouth Symphony (UK), and the Weimar Staatskapelle (Germany).” [Full Post]
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