Image Courtesy of bvso.org The next live performance of the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra’s 33rd season will be Saturday, March 28, in Rudder Auditorium.
This classical subscription concert entitled “In a Galaxy Far, Far Away,” will feature the orchestra performing works from Williams, Gjeilo, and Glass, along with special guest narrator and world-renowned physicist, Dr. Brian Greene. This concert will be unique, exciting, and include a multi-media aspect as the BVSO presents Icarus at the Edge of Time, which includes a film, narration, and live orchestra score telling the story of a young boy’s deep space adventure. Maestro Marcelo Bussiki has also planned music from Star Wars making this program something that will appeal to all ages and audiences.
What: “In a Galaxy Far, Far Away”
When: Saturday, March 28, at 7:30pm
Where: Rudder Auditorium on Texas A&M University Campus in College Station
This special concert is planned in conjunction with the Physics and Engineering Festival presented by the Texas A&M Physics & Astronomy and Aerospace Engineering Departments.
Audiences young and young at heart will certainly be excited about hearing the Star Wars themes. Maestro Bussiki indicated that the BVSO has played Star Wars a few times over the years, but never at a subscription concert. This classic John Williams’ music needs no introduction due to its wide pop culture appeal.
Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass will feature the Texas A&M Century Singers and also be guest conducted as Bussiki explains. “A BVSO/TAMU Century Singers performance is always a treat. We have been collaborating for many years and the synergy between those groups invariably creates a rewarding experience for our audience. For this concert, I invited the TAMU Century Singers’Music Director Maestro Eric Posada, to guest conduct the BVSO in the Sunrise Mass as part of his Doctoral defense. So, a partnership that is already very solid will acquire a special meaning for all involved, as we support our colleague and friend in this significant musical achievement.”
According to Guest Conductor, Eric Posada, “The mass is comprised of four movements: The Spheres, Sunrise, The City, Identity and The Ground. The music in each movement vividly reflects these titles as portions of it were inspired by movie compositions. While the titles are secular in nature, the chorus adds a sacred dimension to the work.”
The “star” of the concert will likely be the final work: a multimedia film and storyline set to live symphonic music. Presented in cooperation with the World Science Festival and the Texas A&M Physics & Astronomy and Aerospace Engineering Departments, Icarus at the Edge of Time is a mesmerizing tale set in outer space about a boy who challenges the awesome might of a black hole. Based on the children’s book by physicist Brian Greene, this futuristic re-imagining of the classic myth takes audiences of all ages on a whirlwind voyage through space and time to the very edge of understanding.
Featuring an original score by Philip Glass, script adapted by Brian Greene and David Henry Hwang, and film created and directed by Al + Al, Icarus at the Edge of Time will be performed live by the BVSO and narrated by Brian Greene.
Dr. Brian Greene appears in conjunction with the TAMU Physics & Engineering Festival that is going on the same weekend as the concert. Children and their families will be in town for the festival where Greene will be a keynote speaker.
According to his biography, “Professor Greene is known to the public through his general-level lectures and writings . . . Professor Greene has had many media appearances, from Charlie Rose to David Letterman . . . His short story for children, Icarus at the Edge of Time, dramatizes in narrative form one of Einstein’s profound insights in relativity.”
Greene’s notoriety expands into popular culture as well, as he has made a guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory in an amusing scene where Sheldon Cooper mocks Greene’s lecture in classic “Sheldon” style. Many clips from Greene’s lectures, interviews and cameos appear on his website www.briangreene.org.
“Dr. Greene is a fantastic and well known public speaker who has become a bit of a ‘rock star’ in the world of science because of the excitement he brings. His national bestseller The Elegant Universe sold over a million copies and became an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning NOVA special that Greene hosted. Unlike the actors on The Big Bang Theory, Greene is the real thing,” explains Dr. George R. Welch, Department Head of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M.
“Greene is an expert at communicating the most amazing aspects of our most cutting edge physical theories to children as well as non-scientists. His illustrated novella Icarus at the Edge of Time is a wonderful book for elementary school children as well as grownups, and its stunning pictures are even exciting for toddlers and preschoolers. Having a communicator of Greene's experience insures that everyone will come away from his presentation knowing more science than when they arrived,” continued Welch.
BVSO Executive Director Mary Koeninger adds, “Icarus is an edge-of-your-seat, exciting and entertaining adventure. Adults and children alike will love it!”
BVSO patrons can also enjoy free pre-concert talks one hour prior (6:30pm) to the performance in the Rudder Theatre Complex. Ann Thompson, a popular lecturer with the Houston Grand Opera, will again present her delightful and witty insights into the composers, the history, and meaning behind the music.
Purchase tickets securely on-line at www.bvso.org or by phone through the MSC Box Office.
Call (979) 845-1234. Advance ticket prices are $39 for adults and $13 for students/children. At-door pricing will be more and patrons are encouraged to get their tickets in advance. Call the Symphony Office with any further questions.
