LSO TEEN EDUCATION CONCERT DAVID IN-JAE CHO, MUSIC DIRECTOR JAN. 18, 2024 | THE BUDDY HOLLY HALL
ALL ABOUT THE SYMPHONY
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & CONCERT
MUSICAL MASTERS
ETIQUETTE pg. 1
pg. 2
MEET OUR GUEST ARTIST
pg. 6 MUSICAL TERMS
pg. 11
BRAHMS’
PIANO CONCERTO
pg. 7-8 THE INSTRUMENTS
pg. 12
pg. 3-4 TCHAIKOVSKY’S
POLISH SYMPHONY
pg. 9-10 CREDITS &
UPCOMING CONCERTS
see back cover
BRAHMS & TCHAIKOVSKY CONCERT VOUCHER: Get up to two free tickets to the full LSO performance of Brahms & Tchaikovsky on January 20, 2024 at 7:30 PM in The Buddy Holly Hall Performing Arts & Sciences. Click the “Tickets” button on lubbocksymphony.org and select your seats. Select “Guidebook” in the dropdown menu next to each ticket in the price column. After you add your tickets, you will be asked to enter a password. The password is BRAHMSED24. If you have any questions, please call the LSO Box office at (806) 762-1688. Please note that this concert has a clear bag policy. Certain images in this book are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and are restricted from further use.
MUSICAL MASTERS EXPLORING BRAHMS & TCHAIKOVSKY
Lubbock Symphony Orchestra Teen Education Concert David In-Jae Cho, Music Director | January 18, 2024 The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts & Sciences
CONCERT REPERTOIRE Piano Concerto No. 1 | Brahms Featuring Adam Golka, Piano Symphony No. 3 | Tchaikovsky
ALL ABOUT THE SYMPHONY! If you love music, we have just the place for you: a symphony concert! If you have never attended a symphony concert before, no worries! There is nothing quite like getting to hear live music. This will be a special experience for you and your friends and family. First, let’s learn more about the symphony. A symphony is who we are and what we play! The term symphony is short for “symphony orchestra.” This is a talented group of musicians of all ages and backgrounds. The musicians play a variety of instruments. To learn more about the instruments, look at the chart on page 12.
ABOUT LSO Lubbock Symphony Orchestra (LSO) began as a volunteer orchestra in 1946 and became a professional orchestra in 1967. It has over 100 members who perform classical masterworks, chamber music, and “pops” concerts each season. LSO also oversees educational outreach programs such as this education concert.
A symphony is also a type of music that the orchestra plays. Professional orchestras have been performing symphonies for over 200 years! Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky all wrote amazing symphonies that are still popular today. When you attend a symphony concert, you will hear a variety of music by composers from around the world.
MOVEMENTS OF A SYMPHONY
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1.
FAST & DRAMATIC
2.
SLOW & EXPRESSIVE
3.
FUN & DANCING
4.
FAST & ENERGETIC
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Scan this code or visit lubbocksymphony.org/education to access our additional resources page. There you will find the audio recordings of the musical excerpts included in this book, as well as links to more music by these composers and the websites of other local arts organizations.
CONCERT ETIQUETTE We are so excited to have you join us for this wonderful musical experience. The musicians you will see in the upcoming performance depend on you for their success. An audience that pays attention and doesn’t cause distractions will help their performance!
RULES OF THE CONCERT Use the bathroom before the concert if needed The concert will start when the lights dim Don’t make noise during the concert Stay in your seat until your teachers give you instructions to leave
In classical music, you clap at the very beginning of the concert and at the very end when it is over. Classical songs may start and stop a lot, so you don’t need to clap every time it stops!
WHEN TO CLAP When the concertmaster violinist comes on stage When the conductor walks to the podium When the conductor takes a bow at the end
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MUSICAL MASTERS Becoming a musical master takes hours of practice, dedication, and effort! The composers below have made huge contributions to the world of music. The music they wrote hundreds of years ago still has the power to impact us today. Check out the timeline below to explore some of the musical masters throughout history!
ERAS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741) HILDEGARD VON BINGEN (1098-1179)
MEDIEVAL (500-1400)
JOSQUIN DES PREZ (1450-1521)
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RENAISSANCE (1400-1600)
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791)
BAROQUE (1600-1750)
CLASSICAL (1750-1820)
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
↑ “St. Hildegard with her nuns,” illumination from the Omne Bonum Encyclopedia by James le Palmer. British Library. “Josquin des Prez,” The Bettmann Archive, Encyclopædia Britannica. britannica.com/biography/Josquin-des-Prez
MAESTRO DAVID CHO David In-Jae Cho is the Music Director/ Conductor (also referred to as “Maestro”) of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. He is an accomplished pianist and conductor, and has been with LSO since 2012! He will be your guide through the Musical Masters educational concert.
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897)
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
ROMANTIC (1820-1900)
GIACOMO PUCCINI (1858-1924)
LEONARD BERNSTEIN (1918-1990)
20TH CENTURY (1900-2000)
GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
JOHN WILLIAMS (BORN 1932)
“John Williams tux” by TishTash is licensed under CC BY 3.0
↑
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MEET OUR GUEST ARTIST, ADAM GOLKA
FEATURED PIANIST
What inspires you most about this program? For me, this piece is about Brahms expressing his inner experience with the greatest courage. He was devastated that his mentor and great friend Robert Schumann had attempted suicide by throwing himself into the Rhine River in Germany in winter time. When the Timpani starts rattling at the beginning of the piece, you can almost imagine that devastating jump. Brahms was also simultaneously hopelessly in love with Robert’s wife, Clara Schumann. Only 21 years old, the confused young man began jotting down the musical ideas for this piece in response to the flood of emotions that these events caused in his life. When he finally performed it for the first time, the audience booed him because it didn’t have the flashiness expected of a piano solo with orchestra and because it’s emotional world was too intense and strange to audiences in the 1850’s. As a performer, it requires intense concentration, unrelenting physical stamina, and a courageous pouring out of one’s own emotions. Unusual for this sort of piece, the orchestra part is absolutely as important as the solo part, making it particularly inspiring to perform because of the dialogue I get to enter with the orchestra.
When did you know the piano was the instrument for you? I was surrounded by piano ever since I could remember because my Mom is a pianist and piano teacher, and my Dad is a piano tuner. Playing piano was the most natural thing in the world in my family home. By age 9, I was certain that I wanted to be a classical concert pianist. Besides loving it so much every day of my life until today, it has enabled me to travel and see the world and meet countless neat people. Do you ever get nervous before concerts? If so, what helps you? Of course I get nervous! With years of performing experience has come a knowledge of what sort of preparation will get me through no matter what kind of stress I feel. In the moment of performance, concentrating on the music and being courageous usually does the trick. Piano is such a challenging instrument to master. Do you have any practice tips? Piano is a very challenging but very rewarding instrument because it responds to every emotion you feel. It is so sensitive to the slightest variation of touch and weight. It is important that hard work at the piano is always balanced by staying emotionally present with what you are trying to express in the music. Of course, the mechanics of playing require hours and hours of endless work. The practicing never stops. I’m still discovering things every single day. But mechanics have to serve the greater goal, which is to express the music in our hearts to our audience! It means never “phoning it in” during practice time. 6
BRAHMS’
PIANO CONCERTO Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was a composer, conductor and pianist from Hamburg, Germany. He grew up in a musical family and showed talent for music at a young age. By age 7, Brahms had started piano lessons, and would also learn cello, horn, and music theory. As a young composer, Brahms was greatly influenced by the music of Bach, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Brahms included a variety of styles in his music, and wrote symphonies, string quartets, and concertos. Similar to Tchaikovsky, Brahms is considered a Romantic composer. The Romantic Period took place from around 1820-1900. Composers of this period experimented with harmony and wrote music that expressed various emotions. The music of Brahms does this and it is amazing to listen to! Today we will explore Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1. A concerto is music written for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra. Remember that a concerto typically has three parts, or movements to it. Check out the chart below!
MOVEMENTS OF A CONCERTO 1.
FAST & DRAMATIC
2.
SLOW & EXPRESSIVE
3.
FAST & ENERGETIC
JOHANNES BRAHMS MUSEUM HAMBURG, GERMANY
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This piece premiered in 1859 and was not received well at first. Audiences thought the character of the piece was way too dark and serious. But over time, this would become one of Brahms’ most popular works. Listen to the opening of the first movement below. The timpani begins with a trill, or quick changing between two notes. This immediately sets the dramatic vibe of the piece. TIMPANI
Once the soloist begins, the mood of the piece changes. It is calmer and sounds more sad and solemn. The notes played here will return throughout the rest of the first movement. PIANO
The next excerpt is from the second movement called Adagio. This slow movement is full of beautiful melodies and very expressive. Brahms dedicated this to his friend, Clara Schumann, whom he cared deeply for. PIANO
The third movement is incredibly fast and energetic! It is truly challenging and shows off the skills of the soloist. Listen to the excerpt below to hear how fast the soloist’s fingers can move across the piano! PIANO
← Located in an 18th century building in Peterstraße, Hamburg near Brahm’s birthplace. Johannes-Brahms-Gesellschaft Hamburg. brahms-hamburg.de/en/
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TCHAIKOVSKY’S POLISH SYMPHONY Piotr (Peter) Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) is one of the most famous Russian composers in music history. He wrote a variety of music, such as symphonies, operas, concertos, and ballet. You may already know one of his most popular ballets called The Nutcracker, which is performed during the Christmas season! From an early age, he showed a strong interest in music. Tchaikovsky started writing music with his older sister at just 4 years old! Soon, he would start lessons for piano, voice, and composition. Tchaikovsky was very talented, and was accepted to St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia, which is a special music school. He was inspired by Italian opera and the music of Mozart and Beethoven. Tchaikovsky is another example of a Romantic Period composer. He is famous for his beautiful melodies and creating drama and emotion in his music. Let’s learn about his Symphony No. 3, nicknamed the “Polish Symphony,” written in 1875. A symphony typically has four movements, as described on page 1. However, Tchaikovsky added a 5th movement to this symphony, which was not common at the time. The piece begins with a slow introduction, but then changes into an energetic march! Check out the excerpt below from the first movement. This theme, or main idea, will take place throughout the movement.
FLUTE CLARINET OBOE
The second movement has a completely different character and begins with beautiful solos for the flute, oboe, and bassoon. FLUTE
OBOE
BASSOON
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ST. PETERSBURG CONSERVATORY
The third movement, Andante, is filled with the expressive melodies that Tchaikovsky is known for. Listen and enjoy the rich sounds of the string section!
VIOLIN I
VIOLIN II
VIOLA
The fourth movement also highlights the string section with pizzicato, where the strings are plucked. It also includes some quick string crossings for the violins, violas, and cellos! VIOLIN I
VIOLIN II
VIOLA
CELLO
Finally, we get to the 5th movement called, Finale! Now, you might be wondering why the piece is nicknamed the “Polish Symphony.” Well, Tchaikovsky did not name it that and the piece is not Polish! The final movement’s tempo is marked “tempo di Polacca.” This is another way of saying “in the speed of a Polish dance.” The piece still has Tchaikovsky’s signature Russian sound. Listen to the exciting start to the Finale!
VIOLIN I VIOLIN II
↑ “The Conservatory” [c. 1901] from “St. Petersburg.” Travelogues, Vol. 8 by E. Burton Holmes, Travelogue Bureau, 1917. University of Toronto. archive.org/details/travelogues08holmuoft
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MUSICAL TERMS ADAGIO To play music at a slow tempo. ANDANTE To play music at moderately slow tempo, faster than adagio. COMPOSITION The process of writing new music . CONCERTO Music for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra.
ROMANTIC PERIOD A period in music history that began in the late 18th century. Composers of this period experimented with harmony and wrote more expressive music. STRING QUARTET A performing group of string instruments consisting of two violins, viola and cello.
CONSERVATORY A special school that teaches music.
SYMPHONY A larger musical work for orchestra, usually in 4 movements. Also, a short way to say “symphony orchestra”, which is a group of musicians.
EXCERPT A short sample from a larger musical work.
TEMPO The speed that music is played.
MOVEMENT One section of music that is part of a larger musical work. Could be played by itself.
TRILL A technique that requires alternating quickly between two different notes.
OPERA A drama set to music with singers, accompanied by an orchestra. PIZZICATO A technique where the strings of an instrument are plucked with the fingers.
Do you play an instrument? We are looking for talented young musicians to join Lubbock Youth Orchestras! LYO provides a fun and challenging musical education experience for students of various ages. We have 3 ensembles: Prelude, Philharmonic, and Symphony. From beginning to advanced players, all levels are welcome! For more information, please contact Education Director, Kea Beasley at education@ lubbocksymphony.org. 11
THE INSTRUMENTS THE STRING FAMILY: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass These instruments have strings stretched across them. String musicians drag a bow over the strings or pluck them to make noise. They change the pitch by pressing their fingers on the strings. THE WOODWIND FAMILY: Flute, Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon These instruments make noise when you blow air into them. Most woodwinds have a mouthpiece made of a thin piece of wood, called a reed. To change the pitch, woodwind musicians use their fingers or special button keys to cover holes on the instrument. THE BRASS FAMILY: Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba These instruments are made of brass or other metal and have a large round opening at the end. To make sound, brass musicians buzz their lips against the mouthpiece. Most brass instruments have valves that look like buttons attached to their long pipes. When pressed, the valves open and close different parts of the pipe, which changes the pitch. THE PERCUSSION FAMILY: Timpani, Cymbals, Xylophone, Tambourine, Triangle Percussion instruments include any instrument that makes a sound when it is hit, shaken, or scraped. Some percussion instruments can make tuned pitches, like the xylophone or timpani. Others have no definite pitch, like the bass drum, cymbals, or castanets. Percussion instruments help keep the rhythm, make special sounds, and often add excitement! OTHERS: Piano, Harp, Voice There are other instruments that might be included in the orchestra, such as the piano, the harpsichord, and the harp. The piano and harp are similar in that their strings are used to make sound. The pianist presses keys that tap the strings, while the harpist plucks strings. Vocalists also sometimes sing along with an orchestra.
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David Cho, Music Director Galen Wixson, President & CEO Kea Beasley, Education Director Callie Watson, Guidebook Designer
BRAHMS
& TCHAIKOVSKY
SAT. JAN. 20, 2024 SPRING
SOUND!
TUES. MAR. 5, 2024 THE RESURRECTION SYMPHONY THURS APR. 18 & FRI. APR. 19, 2024
Toni Wallingford, LSO Board Chair Paula Loveless, LSO Education Chair Andrew Babcock, LISD Director of FIne Arts LSO & Lubbock Symphony Guild Volunteers
FANNY AND FELIX
THURS. FEB. 29, 2024
OPERA’S
GREATEST ARIAS
SAT. MAR. 23, 2024