Las Vegas Review-Journal
(Courtesy Las Vegas Philharmonic)
(Courtesy Las Vegas Philharmonic)
George Walker (b. 1922) is featured at AfriClassical.com,
and has a website at http://georgetwalker.com/
and has a website at http://georgetwalker.com/
Las Vegas Review-Journal
By Alan Adams
Philharmonic pays tribute to patriotism, JFK
Saturday’s Las Vegas
Philharmonic program shared a theme, “Love of Country,” but spanned
three centuries in the process. Two Beethoven works were composed in the
early 1800s, a little-known piece by American composer George Walker
dates from 1946, and Peter Lieberson’s “Remembering JFK” had its
premiere in 2011.
In keeping with the observance of the 50th
anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the concert was
preceded by a presentation of the colors by an honor guard from Nellis
Air Force Base and soprano Ellie Smith singing our national anthem.” The
anthem featured a new and special arrangement and orchestration that
were fresh and effective.
Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Coriolan
Overture” began the program. By the time the overture was finished the
play for which it was intended had ended its run in Vienna. It is likely
the play and its overture were heard together only once. The spirit of
the brief (seven minute) work begins with triumph but leads to
indecision and turmoil, ending in a sense of self-destruction.
Then
came, in stark contrast, George Walker’s “Lyric for Strings,” a lush
and lovely showpiece for string orchestra. In introducing the work,
guest conductor George Hanson characterized it as being “…the most
beautiful work you’ve never heard.” He’s right. “Lyric for Strings”
should have found its way into the mainstream repertoire by now.
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