The next live performance of the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra’s 34th season will be Sunday, November 22, at 5pm in Rudder Auditorium.
The concert will feature an amazing masterwork in seven movements, Brahms’ A German Requiem. The orchestra will join forces to total nearly 300 musicians on stage in a dramatic and moving performance with the Brazos Valley Chorale, Texas A&M Century Singers, Blinn College Choir, as well as two talented guest vocalists.
Guest Conductor Jess Wade shares that he is truly excited to conduct this performance. “I am honored to have been asked once again to conduct this annual concert with our phenomenal local orchestra, choirs, and guest soloists.”
“The Brahms German Requiem is one of the most important and well loved of the choral- orchestral masterworks of the Romantic period. It approaches the theme of celebrating the life of a loved one who has passed in a very different and uplifting way. And, of course, it is all the glorious music of Brahms!” continues Wade.
What: “Requiem”
When: Sunday, November 22, at 5pm
Where: Rudder Auditorium on Texas A&M University Campus in College Station
The BVSO will share the stage with three excellent choral groups for this large-scale performance: Brazos Valley Chorale, Texas A&M Century Singers, and the Blinn College Choir from Bryan. “This concert will be very demanding. Out of the big masterpieces, it is probably one of the most demanding works, particularly for the choir,” says Executive Director Mary Koeninger. “To have a choir that can perform at that level is something you don’t find very often. We are fortunate to have the groups that we do in the Brazos Valley to be able to present this kind of work.”
Not only will the choral groups be outstanding, the guest vocalists slated for this performance are highly anticipated as well. “Mela Dailey, a lyric soprano hailing from Austin, comes to us after just winning a Grammy® award for Best Choral Recording this year as part of a group she performs with,” says Koeninger. “Our baritone, Kelly Markgraf, who has performed with the BVSO before, always brings a great bravado to his performances and the audience really enjoys that charisma. He is one of the most accomplished and exciting baritones I have ever heard,” Koeninger continues.
It should be noted that this piece only calls for two vocalists as opposed to the traditional four parts for a major work such as this, one could speculate as to why Brahms chose to have just two. Perhaps an answer to this question, and more facts, will be revealed to BVSO patrons at the free pre-concert talk at 4pm just prior to the performance in the Rudder Theatre Complex. Ann Thompson, a popular lecturer who has also presented with the Houston Grand Opera, will again present her delightful and witty insights into the composers, the history, and meaning behind the music. Get there early to ensure you have a seat at these extremely popular sessions.
After each subscription concert, a patron social hour at Napa Flats will keep the enjoyment going to top off an exquisite evening of culture and entertainment. The Maestro and guest artists are scheduled to attend these socials as well.
Individual tickets to all concerts are on sale now at the MSC Box Office. Call (979) 845-1234 or visit boxoffice.tamu.edu. Call the Symphony Office at (979) 696-6100 with any further questions.
