Photos Courtesy of Nika Hancock, director of communications & marketing for the Brazos Valley Symphony Society
The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra™ continues its 38th year with the fourth performance in their “Kaleidoscope of Classics” season. The BVSO™ world-class musicians and Music Director Marcelo Bussiki will be hosting a concert with soprano Emily Pulley performing Aaron Copland’s Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson. The concert will take place at 5pm on Sunday, Feb. 23, in Rudder Theatre on the Texas A&M University Campus.
Pulley’s incredible talent along with the BVSO™ musicians are sure to inspire with this beautiful and touching program. Originally from Bryan College Station, Pulley says she has “been singing professionally for 30 years, but I can’t remember a time when music wasn’t of great importance to me. Even though I was very shy as a child, I never hesitated to get up and lead singing in school, Girl Scouts, or church, and I was extremely fortunate to have had a great music teacher in elementary school and excellent band and choir directors from middle school onward.”
Pulley has appeared in many Metropolitan Opera performances, and for one night only she will bring to life the works of Emily Dickinson. When it comes to singing with the BVSO™ musicians Pulley says, “It’s always a joy to sing in my hometown. BVSO has been very supportive of me throughout my career, and I really appreciate that.”
Music Director Marcelo Bussiki assures that, “Emily’s artistry and sense of humor leaves us wanting more from her.” When asked about the performance selection, Bussiki says, “That program was inspired by the beauty of Copland’s settings of Dickinson’s poems. The first song, Nature, the gentlest mother, like the rest of the set is gorgeous, but requires a depth of interpretation that one only finds with experienced singers like Emily. The best is that she also likes the work. So, we are both very committed to a special performance.”
The performance will begin with Mozart’s famous Symphony No. 25. and continue with Copland’s adaptation of Emily Dickinson’s poetry as well as his composition, Appalachian Spring. Copland was a contemporary composer who used traditional American music to inspire classical compositions that everyone could enjoy. Copland’s music was truly innovative and Appalachian Spring is considered one of the most decisively American pieces of symphonic music ever composed. Mozart’s impressive 25th symphony was composed when he was only 17 years old.
This work is considered to be Mozart’s first “tragic” symphony. The symphony was written in "Sturm und Drang" (storm and stress) style and meant to emphasize the varied, intense emotion as well as the changes in dynamic and tempo. Symphony No. 25 is even said to have inspired Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.
Executive director of the BVSO™ Dr. Mary Koeninger promises, “The Two Emilys performance is not to be missed. The maestro puts together unique and unexpected programs that always produce an incredible result. We are additionally excited to bring Emily to the stage with us once again as she is always a highly-anticipated artist.”
BVSO™ patrons can also enjoy free pre-concert talks one hour prior to each subscription performance in the Rudder Theatre Complex. Ann Thompson will again present her delightful and witty insights into the composers, the history, and meaning behind the music. Then after the concert, a patron social hour with the maestro and guest artist at Napa Flats will keep the enjoyment going to top off an exquisite evening of music and entertainment.
This concert will be general admission. Patrons can purchase their seats via the MSC Box Office website at www.boxoffice.tamu.edu or by calling (979)845-1234. Various price points are available for this performance ranging from $16 for student advance tickets to $45 for adult advance tickets. All programs are subject to change. Visit www.facebook.com/BrazosValleySymphony/ for fun facts, concert information, and more.
