Monday, September 17, 2018

John Malveaux: Southeast Symphony 70th Season Finale Sept. 16 Royce Hall-UCLA

Chi-chi Nwanoku and Errollyn Wallen

Jennifer Lindsay and Maria Dominique Lopez

Anthony Parnther

John Malveaux of 
writes:

The Southeast Symphony 70th season finale “REVOLUTION/RESURRECTION an AMERICAN RETROSPECTIVE” Sept 16, 2018 Royce Hall-UCLA symbolically extended the United States Civil Rights campaign of Dr. King to the current cry for diversity in classical music with an international perspective through dialogue, video, and musical performances. The first half included remarks by Afro-British double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, founder, artistic and executive director of the Chineke! Foundation. The foundation supports, inspires and encourages Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) classical musician working in the UK and Europe. After Chi-chi, Belize-born composer Errollyn Wallen gave additional remarks focusing on challenges of women composers. Remarks became reality through a stirring performance by the Southeast Symphony of Errollyn Wallen ‘Concerto Grosso for Piano, Violin and Double Bass’ with Chi-chi featured on double bass and Errollyn Wallen on piano.

In contrast to multiple new arrangements of hymns, spirituals and the United States debut of a little known work by a female composer of African descent, the second half featured Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 2 (highlights). Southeast Symphony joyfully demonstrated to a large engaged audience at Royce Hall that the western canon of classical music can co-exist with music outside the Western canon to expand inclusion.

Recalling Dr. King "No lie can live forever." We shall overcome because William Cullen Bryant is right. "Truth crushed to earth will rise again." We shall overcome because James Russell Lowell is right. "Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne. Yet that scaffold sways the future.”

See pic 1 Chi-chi Nwanoku (left) with Errollyn Wallen (right), pic 2 Jennifer Lindsay, Soprano, Maria Dominique Lopez, Alto (Gustav Mahler RESURRECTION), pic 3 music director/conductor Anthony Parnther 

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