Letter from the Conductor

There’s so much about spring that brings joy. As we enjoy the blossoming of tulips and daffodils, the emerging green grass, the spring brooks, and the sights and smells of buds forming on trees waking up from their winter slumber, we feel our own excitement about life becoming lighter, brighter, and full of new plans and potential. We recognize the cycle of life is what makes spring even more special. Music can have this same effect on us when we experience it inside our busy lives. It takes us out of the fray and gives us a moment to reflect. It helps to renew our sense of hope, and it brings us together as a community. Just like nature, music speaks to us on a quiet, personal level, and yet, the music brings us all together through an experience that we all share - without words or opinions, sides, or divisions, it’s there for all of us and reminds us that we are all human. As we experience the shock of the war in the Ukraine, various conflicts in our societies, personal frustrations, and struggles as we come out of the pandemic, music is there for us, and reminds us of the incredible potential of human creativity. Creativity, in itself, is a blossoming of spring. New ideas emerging out of a seeming nowhere, surprising and inspiring us. This concert is about hope, possibility, and of course, what would spring be without love? In Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a young man and woman, newly married, start a life together - building a new home, and enjoying the support of an entire community who comes together to help them raise their barn. The Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto was composed by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang in 1958 and tells the ancient Chinese folk story of two friends Zhu and Liang who fall in love, but are separated through the circumstances of Zhu’s arranged marriage. Liang falls into depression and dies. On the day of Zhu’s wedding, a strong wind prevents her from passing by Liang’s grave, the earth opens up, and she is swallowed into his grave. Emerging out of this tragedy appear two butterflies, united and free to be together in spirit. I look forward to performing with your wonderful concertmaster, Michèle Lekas. John William’s Chairman’s Waltz comes from the beautiful story of Memoirs of a Geisha, where the geisha Sayuri falls in love with the Chairman, the first person to show her true kindness.

I open this program with Mozart’s beautiful Haffner Symphony because his music here is so light, joyful, and full of vibrancy. It’s a short Symphony, only 15 minutes long, and I especially love the way that the first theme weaves itself throughout the movement, like a Where’s Waldo rascal hiding in the music at every turn. Mozart, in his youth and vitality, awes us with the force of his incredible creativity and the virtuosity of his mind. And of course, how could we celebrate the essence of spring without J. Strauss’s The Beautiful, Blue Danube? The opening horn melody and shimmering chords capture the feeling of expectation and hope that we have for this new spring. As the dance begins, I hope a smile lights up your face.

Please enjoy the concert!

Tania Miller

12 Rockford Symphony Orchestra | rockfordsymphony.com