PJStar.com: James DePreist Conducts Peoria Symphony Orchestra in Mahler's Third Symphony

[James DePreist]

Maestro James DePreist (b. 1936) is featured at AfriClassical.com. He conducted the Peoria Symphony Orchestra in Mahler's Third Symphony Saturday:

Peoria Journal Star

By Gary Panetta

Posted Sep 17, 2011

“The Peoria Symphony Orchestra's opening concert of Beethoven, Mahler and composer John Orfe was nicely conceived and boldly executed Saturday at the Civic Center Theater.” “Then there was the finale of Gustav Mahler's Third Symphony. Subtitled 'What Love Tells Me,' this is a 25-minute, slow movement of yearning that culminates in a sort of rugged nobility - not an answer to life's sufferings, but a kind of wisdom won in the midst of suffering.”

“Orchestra players, though, pretty much outdid themselves with the Mahler, led by guest conductor (and National Medal of Arts winner) James DePreist, who conducted from a wheelchair.

“Seemingly energized by DePreist - a polio survivor and one of classical music's early African American trailblazers - the orchestra played with conviction. French horns, trumpets, trombones and tuba seldom sounded richer. And those high, mystical strings in the Mahler found a sympathetic vibration in the Orfe piece that began the concert.”

'Benefit Concert for Japan' by One World Symphony at Holy Apostles Church 8 PM April 3

[Front Row Left: Mariam Blacksher, violist and One World Symphony Member for Benefit Concert for Japan]

Benefit Concert for Japan

Mahler’s Symphony No. 3: What Love Tells Me

One World Symphony

Sung Jin Hong, Artistic Director and Conductor

Gustav Mahler: Finale, Symphony No. 3, What Love Tells Me (1896)

Olivier Messiaen: From Quartet for the End of Time (1941)*

John Lennon: Imagine (1971)**

Sung Jin Hong: Eye of the Storm for audience and symphony (2010)

*Orchestration by Sung Jin Hong (2010)

**Orchestration by Andrew Struck-Marcell (2010)

Sunday, April 3 at 8:00pm

Holy Apostles Church

296 Ninth Avenue at West 28th Street

Manhattan

$10: Tickets only available at the door

All proceeds will go towards the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund

Listen to One World Symphony perform Mahler’s Adagietto.

“At the request of One World Symphony’s musicians, One World Symphony is honored to contribute to Japan’s relief efforts from the recent earthquake and tsunami. All of the proceeds will go towards the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund.” “Continuing One World Symphony’s tradition of fostering active audience participation and in the spirit of worldwide community, John Lennon’s Imagine will be performed as a sing-along with audience in this symphonic arrangement.”

Measha Brueggergosman Sings Mahler's 'Das Knaben Wunderhorn' in Chicago Symphony Debut

[Measha Brueggergosman, soprano, and Sergio Mims, WHPK radio host]

Measha Brueggergosman is the African-Canadian soprano who recently released Night and Dreams, with pianist Justus Zeyen, on Deutsche Grammophon 477 8101 (2010) (65:29). Sergio Mims is a classical music radio host at Chicago's WHPK, 88.5 FM. He sends a message about Measha Brueggergosman debut performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on October 28:

“Here's a picture of me with soprano Measha Brueggergosman taken tonight. She was in Chicago singing Mahler's Das Knaben Wunderhorn with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She gave a wonderful, glowing performance and was radiant as always! I think I'll add this to my collection of other photos of us together. Soon I'll have enough for a book. Sergio Mims”