20240215_UPO

THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC Presents

THE UNIVERSITY PHILHARMONIA Alexander Jiménez, Music Director and Conductor William Whitehead, Graduate Associate Conductor featuring Isabelle Scott, Harp (Winner, 2023 Young Artists Competition)

Thursday, February 15, 2024 Seven-thirty in the Evening Opperman Music Hall

ng i t r o p p u S e Arts th

850-894-8700

www.beethovenandcompany.com 719 North Calhoun Street, Suite E Tallahassee, Florida 32303

Tom Buchanan, owner

PROGRAM Three American Voices I. Duke Ellington II. Langston Hughes III. Satchel Paige

Brian Gaber (b. 1960)

Concertstück pour Harpe et Orchestre, Op. 39

Gabriel Pierné (1863–1937)

Isabelle Scott, harp William Whitehead, conductor INTERMISSION Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88 Allegro con brio Adagio Allegretto grazioso—molto vivace Allegro ma non troppo

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)

Please refrain from talking, entering, or exiting while performers are playing. Food and drink are prohibited in all concert halls. Please turn off cell phones and all other electronic devices. Please refrain from putting feet on seats and seat backs. Children who become disruptive should be taken out of the performance hall so they do not disturb the musicians and other audience members.

ABOUT THE MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR Alexander Jiménez serves as Professor of Conducting, Director of Orchestral Activities, and String Area Coordinator at the Florida State University College of Music. Prior to his appointment at FSU in 2000, Jiménez served on the faculties of San Francisco State University and Palm Beach Atlantic University. Under his direction, the FSU orchestral studies program has expanded and been recognized as one of the leading orchestral studies programs in the country. Dr. Jiménez has recorded on the Naxos, Neos, Canadian Broadcasting Ovation, and Mark labels. Deeply committed to music by living composers, Dr. Jiménez has had fruitful and long-term collaborations with such eminent composers as Ellen Taafe Zwilich and the late Ladisalv Kubík, as well as working with Anthony Iannaccone, Krzysztof Penderecki, Martin Bresnick, Zhou Long, Chen Yi, Harold Schiffman, Louis Andriessen, and Georg Friedrich Haas. The University Symphony Orchestra has appeared as a featured orchestra for the College Orchestra Directors National Conference and the American String Teachers Association National Conference, and the University Philharmonia has performed at the Southeast Conference of the Music Educators National Conference (now the National Association for Music Education). The national PBS broadcast of Zwilich’s Peanuts’ Gallery® featuring the University Symphony Orchestra was named outstanding performance of 2007 by the National Educational Television Association.

Active as a guest conductor and clinician, Jiménez has conducted extensively in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, including with the Brno Philharmonic (Czech Republic) and the Israel Netanya Chamber Orchestra. In 2022, Dr. Jiménez led the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in a recording of works by Anthony Iannaccone. Deeply devoted to music education, he serves as international ambassador for the European Festival of Music for Young People in Belgium and serves as Festival Orchestra Director and Artistic Consultant for the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. Dr. Jiménez has been the recipient of University Teaching Awards in 2006 and 2018, The Transformation Through Teaching Award, and the Guardian of the Flame Award which is given to an outstanding faculty mentor. Dr. Jiménez is a past president of the College Orchestra Directors Association and served as music director of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras from 20002017.

ABOUT THE FEATURED ARTISTS Brian Gaber, Professor of Contemporary Media, earned the Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and soon after toured the U.S., Canada, and Japan with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Gaber has produced music and other audio for radio, television, video, and multimedia for clients worldwide including Compuserve, Inc., and Kawai America, Inc. Active as a composer and arranger, Gaber has had his works, Jam Session for Symphony Orchestra, There’s a Meetin’ Here Tonight!, Three American Voices, and Ancestral Waters performed by more than 40 professional orchestras across the country. His compositions and arrangements for jazz ensemble are published by Increase Music and have been performed by college and professional bands across the U.S., Europe, and Russia. Gaber directs the Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music program and teaches courses in music business, music technology, and audio production at Florida State University.

Isabelle Scott is a second year master’s student in harp performance at Florida State University, where she is a student of Dr. Noël Wan and the graduate assistant for the harp studio. Scott received the bachelor’s degree in instrumental performance from the University of Miami in spring 2022. A native Floridian, Scott has been an active harpist throughout Northeast Florida and South Georgia. As an orchestral harpist, she served during high school as harpist with the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra and Jacksonville University Orchestra, and more recently has been a substitute harpist for the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and the Coastal Symphony Orchestra. She has also served in university orchestras and ensembles at University of Miami and FSU and as harpist for the First Coast Opera. Scott has participated in summer programs at the Young Artists Harp Seminar, Brevard Music Center, and Bowdoin International Music Festival and plans to continue her harp studies and performance opportunities after completing her master’s degree. Scott is excited to share Pierné’s beautiful Konzertstück, and would like to personally thank Dr. Wan for her guidance and instruction in learning this piece, as well as acknowledge Dr. Ann Yeung (University of Illinois), Ms. Allegra Lilly (BMC), and Ms. Kayo Ishimaru ( Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra) for their musical insights.

NOTES ON THE PROGRAM Gaber: Three American Voices Three American Voices celebrates three Americans who have made great contributions to world culture: I. Duke Ellington “Freedom is a word that is spoken and sung, loudly and softly, all around the world and in many languages. The word freedom is used for many purposes. It is sometimes even used in the interest of…Freedom.”

The prolific and highly influential jazz composer changed the course of music in this country and worldwide. This is a quote from Ellington’s Second Sacred Concert.

II. Langston Hughes “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is like a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”

Hughes, along with Ellington, was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 30s. He was an author, poet, playwright, and social activist whose work has been and will continue to be loved and admired by millions.

III. Satchel Paige “Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching.”

Satchel Paige was a baseball pitcher who played for the Chattanooga Black Lookouts from 1926 through 1948, when he joined the Cleveland Indians. He was 59 years old when he played his last game. Paige was a great wit and is thought to be the creator of many well-known clever sayings. Although there is some uncertainty, this phrase has often been attributed to Paige.

–Brian Gaber

Pierné: Concertstück for Harp and Orchestra Gabriel Pierné (1863-1937) was a Paris Conservatoire-trained composer and the principal conductor of the Concerts Colonne. His time in the Conservatoire afforded Pierné the opportunity to experience the harp legacy of the Paris Conservatoire firsthand, meeting and observing some of the best harpists of his time. In the wake of the ever-increasing presence of the harp in symphonic works—as in Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique (1830) or Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake (1876) and Nutcracker (1892)—and a slew of solo and chamber works for harp in the early 1900s, such as those by Gabriel Faure, Claude Debussy, and Henriette Reiné, Pierné chose to throw his proverbial hat in the ring with the Concertstück, Op. 39. Premiered in 1903 by Henriette Reiné, the Concertstück exemplifies many of the most well recognized aspects of harp playing that Pierné would have encountered during his Conservatory training.

The work begins with runs of arpeggios that give way to the introduction of the first theme.

Pierné demonstrates careful orchestration and high-level understanding of the instrument as the harp speaks easily above the orchestra. Soon, the orchestra introduces the second theme, a high crying-out gesture that the harp then imitates and varies with support from the woodwinds. Eventually, the action comes to a pause as a lone timpani roll fades away, only for the orchestra to bloom with the third theme, a romantic melody underscored by richly textured harmony which is deftly taken up by the solo harp. A playful scherzo serves as the fourth theme, before giving way to the first theme again. The piece ends with the harp playing that blooming third theme one more time before leading us off in a flourish of glissandi.

– Will Whitehead Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88 During the period in which Antonín Dvořák composed his eighth symphony, he finally found himself on the cusp of international recognition. Shortly before the premiere of this symphony, Dvořák traveled to Vienna to receive the Austrian Order of the Iron Crown from the emperor, and later Cambridge University offered him an honorary doctorate.

Only a few years earlier, however, he had confronted nearly insurmountable difficulty finding acceptance of his works outside of his home country. Although Czechoslovakian audiences acknowledged Dvořák’s compositional abilities, anti-Czech sentiment in Austria and Germany threatened his chances of solidifying a place in the international repertory.

In an attempt to escape this repressive cultural climate, Dvořák enjoyed tremendous success in England. Distanced from the politics that embroiled much of the continent, London audiences welcomed Dvořák with open ears and quickly recognized the composer’s abilities. In England, Dvořák revised four of his previously composed symphonies and composed his seventh and eighth symphonies, a requiem, and three concert overtures.

Regardless of his pan-nationalist approach, the composer remained loyal to the musical inspirations of his homeland. He expressed this sentiment when he wrote to his publisher, “I just wanted to tell you that an artist too has a fatherland in which he must also have a firm faith and which he must love.”

The most defining element of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 is a pervasive pastorale character.

Although the symphony also contains much of Dvořák’s characteristic folk influences, it also makes significant use of woodwinds to mimic nature calls and allude to other pastoral elements. This style is not immediately evident in the first movement; instead, it opens with a bittersweet introduction in a minor key played by the cellos and horns. Flutes soon introduce major tonality into this movement, capitulating the aforementioned idyllic mood. Although Dvořák set this movement loosely within sonata form, he introduces a greater number of melodic figures than are typically used for this structure. In contrast to some of the composer’s other symphonies, in which a minimal number of themes receive thorough treatment, the eighth symphony develops interest by contrasting these already developed themes. The second movement vacillates between major and minor tonalities, but the rhythmic consistency maintains cohesiveness. The melodic figures in this movement undergo multiple stylistic shifts, ranging from the expected lyricism to the quite unexpected characteristics of a stately march. Dvořák’s third movement adopts the form of a waltz but also incorporates into some sections the musical characteristics of an outdoor festival. While again relying heavily upon the woodwinds, Dvořák uses the oboes and bassoons to provide a lively and entertaining staccato-counterpoint that resembles his Slavonic Dances. The final movement of the symphony opens with a stately trumpet fanfare. After this, a solo flute introduces the second theme, which is followed by a clarinet duet. At the return of the fanfare the true exuberance of the movement is revealed, building to a blissful resolution. Dvořák masterfully blends his own country’s musical contributions with those of his London environment, creating a combination of folk idiom and the English Arcadian ideal.

– Dr. Paul Luongo

University Philharmonia Personnel Alexander Jiménez, Music Director and Conductor William Whitehead, Graduate Associate Conductor Violin I Will Purser ‡ Mariana Reyes Parra Abigail Jennings Elizabeth Milan Olivia Leichter Sarah Biesack Rose Ossi Bailey Bryant Christopher Wheaton Hayden Green Myra Sexton Amanda Marcy Eden Rewa Mari Stanton Peter Fenema Violin II Victoria Joyce* Delaney Reilly Elina Nyquist Quinn French Carlos Cordero Karolyne Lugo Kali Henre Samuel Ovalle Sarita Thosteson Alexander Roes Ismar Cabrera Noah Johnson Ruby Moore Viola Harper Knopf* Emma Patterson Ruth Gray Tyana McGann Kiran Hafner Abigayle Benoit Spencer Schneider Jonathan Taylor

‡ Concertmaster * Principal

Cello Caroline Keen* Abigail Fernandez Param Mehta Jaden Sanzo Noah Hays Natalie Taunton Jake Reisinger Sophie Stalnaker Sydney Spencer Marina Edwards Zoe Thornton Ryan Wolff Bass Charles Storch* Emma Waidner Layla Feaster Paris Lallis John Hermann Harp Ezekiel Harris Flute Paige Douglas* Moriah Emrich* Sarah Elise Kimbro Piccolo Talley Powell Oboe Loanne Masson* Sarah Ward* Jordan Miller Samantha Osborne Clarinet Morgan Magnoni* Leah Price* Ethan Burke Reymon Contrera

Bassoon Hannah Farmer* Timothy Schwindt* Hunter Fisher Zach Martin Horn Alexandro Garcia * Allison Kirkpatrick* Emma Beth Brockman Isaac Roman Isaí Santos Trumpet Sharavan Duvvuri* Jeremiah Gonzalez* Grason Peterson* Easton Barham Brian Ratledge Trombone Christian Estades* Carter Wessinger Bass Trombone Tristan Goodrich Tuba Matthew Morejon Percussion Kenneth Sharkey* William Vasquez Orchestra Manager Melody Quiroga Orchestra Stage Manager Sierra Su Orchestra Librarians Will Whitehead Guilherme Rodrigues Administrative Assistant Marina Akamatsu

2023–2024 CONCERT SEASON FALL November 19, 2023 Elijah Felix Mendelssohn

UNITY 17 January 28, 2024 Sounds of Cinema Celebrating Tallahassee’s Bicentennial

SPRING April 28, 2024 Lord Nelson Mass Joseph Haydn

TICKETS: TCCHORUS.ORG OR 850-597-0603 All performances in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Florida State University Funded in part by

UNIVERSITY MUSICAL ASSOCIATES 2023-2024 Dean’s Circle Les and Ruth Ruggles Akers Richard Dusenbury and Kathi Jaschke CarolAline Flaumenhaft

Jim and Betty Ann Rodgers Tate and Jo Todd

Gold Circle Drs. Charles and Sharon Aronovitch Margaret and Russ Dancy Louie and Avon Doll Patrick and Kathy Dunnigan Kevin and Suzanne Fenton * Emory and Dorothy Johnson Albert and Darlene Oosterhof

Bob Parker Todd and Kelin Queen Karen and Francis C. Skilling * Paula and Bill Smith David and Jane Watson Bret Whissel Sustainer

Stan Barnes Marty Beech Kathryn M. Beggs Greg and Karen Boebinger Beverley Booth * Karen Bradley Scott A. Brock Donna Callaway Brian Causseaux and W. David Young Pete and Bonnie Chamlis James Clendinen Jody and Nancy Coogle Jim and Sandy Dafoe Patrice Dawson Floyd Deterding and Kelley Lang Diane Dowling and Jack Dowling Segundo J. Fernandez Susan and Jack Fiorito Joy and James Frank William Fredrickson and Suzanne Rita Byrnes William J. Gladwin, Jr. Mario Gonzalez and Pierce Withers Myron and Judy Hayden

* Marc J. and Kathryn S. Hebda Katherine Henricks Dottie and John Hinkle Todd S. Hinkle Holly Hohmeister Karolyn and Ed Holmes Alexander and Dawn Jiménez Dr. Gregory and Dr. Margo Jones William and DeLaura Jones Martin Kavka and Tip Tomberlin Howard Kessler and Anne Van Meter Michael Killoren and Randy Nolan Dennis G. King, Esq. Robert and Karen Large Dr. Annelise Leysieffer Nancy and Jeff Lickson Linda and Bob Lovins Victoria Martinez Kay and Ken Mayo Robert and Patty McDonald Duane and Marge Meeter Dewitt Miller, III Walter and Marian Moore Ann W. Parramore

Sustainer cont’d Robert and Caryl Pierce * David and Joanne Rasmussen Stephen and Elizabeth Richardson * Ken and J.R. Saginario Jonathan Jackson and Greg Springer Nell and Marshall Stranburg

William and Ma’Su Sweeney Margaret Van Every and Joe Lama * Alison R. Voorhees John and Jeanie Wood Kathy D. Wright

Patron Joyce Andrews Mary S. Bert Malcolm Craig Rochelle M. Davis William H. Davis Eunice Filar Judith Flanigan John S. and Linda Fleming L. Kathryn Funchess Debbie Gibson Ruth Godfrey-Sigler Bryan and Nancy Goff Harvey and Judy Goldman Michael Hanawalt * William and Julie Hatfield Albert Henry Jerry and Bobbi Hill Madeleine Hirsiger-Carr Jane A. Hudson Richard and Linda Hyson Barbara James Emily Jamieson Sally and Dr. Link Jarrett Ms. Judith H. Jolly Mr. and Mrs. William A. Kaempfer Dr. Alan R. Kagan Arline Kern

* Jonathan Klepper and Jimmy Cole Frances Kratt John and Silky Labie Donna Legare Mari-Jo Lewis-Wilkinson Ann and Don Morrow Dr. William C. Murray Sandra Palmer Ann E. Parker Marjorie J. Portnoi Karalee Poschman David Reed Edward Reid Mark E. Renwick John and Carol Ryor Jill Sandler Paula S. Saunders Scott Scearce Jeanette Sickel Alice C. Spirakis George Sweat Marjorie Turnbull Ed Valla Paul van der Mark Sylvia B. Walford Geoffrey and Simone Watts Jeff Wright

Associate Jayme Agee Patricia C. Applegate Michael Buchler and Nancy Rogers Mary and David Coburn Adele Cunningham Pamala J. Doffek Clifford Dudley The Fennema Family Gene and Deborah Glotzbach Barbara Hamby and David Kirby Donna H. Heald Carla Connors and Timothy Hoekman Nicole and Kael Johnson Steve Kelly Dean Kindley

Pell and Angela Kornegay Joseph Kraus Susan S. Lampman Debora Lee Jane LeGette Chantal Littleton Kathleen and Lealand McCharen Moncrief Flom Family In Memory of Mrs. Dorothy S. Roberts Dr. Luis R. Rosas Sperandio Sanford A. Safron Kelley Stam Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tuten Karen Wensing Teresa White

Lifetime Members Willa Almlof Florence Helen Ashby Mrs. Reubin Askew * Tom and Cathy Bishop Nancy Bivins Ramona D. Bowman André and Eleanor Connan Janis and Russell Courson * J.W. Richard and Tina Davis Ginny Densmore Nancy Smith Fichter and Robert W. Fichter Carole D. Fiore Patricia J. Flowers Jane E. Hughes Hilda Hunter Julio Jiménez Kirby W. and Margaret-Ray Kemper

Patsy Kickliter Anthony M. and Mallen E. Komlyn Fred Kreimer Beverly Locke-Ewald Cliff and Mary Madsen Ralph and Sue Mancuso Meredith and Elsa L. McKinney Ermine M. Owenby Mike and Judy Pate Jane Quinton Laura and Sam Rogers, Jr. Dr. Louis St. Petery Sharon Stone Donna Cay Tharpe Brig. Gen. and Mrs. William B. Webb Rick and Joan West John L. and Linda M. Williams

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WFSU Public Broadcast Center *University Musical Associates Executive Committee

The University Musical Associates is the community support organization for the FSU College of Music. The primary purposes of the group are to develop audiences for College of Music performances, to assist outstanding students in enriching their musical education and careers, and to support quality education and cultural activities for the Tallahassee community. If you would like information about joining the University Musical Associates, please contact Kim Shively, Director of Special Programs, at kshively@fsu.edu or 850-644-4744.

The Florida State University provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please notify the College of Music at 850-644-3424 at least five business days prior to a musical event if accommodation for disability or publication in alternative format is needed.