“Cartoon art is the craft of reuniting the word and the picture.” — Frank Miller
Epic Journey
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / SEPT. 26, 2012 n 15
piece, Dodson said. Then came the other two ti- Czechs to rise up against the Hapsburgs. The second piece performed will be Sibelius’ tles, Smetana’s “The Moldau” and Sibelius’ “Sym“Symphony No. 1 in E Minor.” Although some phony No. 1 in E Minor.” star@toledofreepress.com “An audience member had suggested ‘The may interpret the music as indicative of a period The Adrian Symphony Orchestra (ASO) re- Moldau,’ which is a very popular piece, but of oppression, when Finland was occupied by turns to the stage Sept. 30 for an “Epic Journey” one I hadn’t done here. After that, the Sibelius Russia, Dodson pointed out the work is first and First Symphony made perfect sense in context,” foremost a symphony about musical issues. through Eastern Europe, Finland and Russia. The symphony opens with a timpani roll “topped The concert, featuring piano virtuoso Dodson said. The three works represent three situations by a solitary clarinet, a long, plaintive melody that is Cecile Licad performing selections by Bedrich Smetana, Jean Sibelius and Sergei Rach- around a central theme of nationalism. In these noble and sad and isolated,” Dodson said. As the symphony progresses, “it grows larger works are a country yet unrealized, a country opmaninoff, begins at 3 p.m. Born in the Philippines in 1961, Licad came pressed by another and, finally, an imperialistic with grand climaxes and a remarkable course to the United States at age 3. She is a graduate of nation toward the end of its Czarist Era, teetering of events, unlike anything written before it,” Dodson said. “But it is also a piece filled with the Curtis Institute and she won the prestigious on the verge of revolution, Dodson said. The concert will begin with Smetana’s tone love of country, with nature, birds, sunsets, Leventritt Award, an international award for poem, written in 1874 at a time of great national- the Northern Lights. It absolutely captures the classical pianists and violinists. “After that, her career skyrocketed,” said istic fervor in what was then Bohemia, a part of the Nordic landscape — its isolation, tundra and vast ASO music director and conductor John Hapsburg Empire. At that time, the Czech Republic forests: the texture of the country. The content did not yet exist and there had been a push to change of this symphony is imbued with Finnish naThomas Dodson. “It is a real honor to have a chance to collabo- the national language of the empire from Latin to tionality. It’s an incredible symphony.” The second half of the program will feature rate with an artist of her stature,” Dodson said. German. But adopting the German language had “As an artist, she is an explorer — an adventurer. unforeseen consequences, and soon much of the Licad performing one of her signature pieces, RachShe seeks out an interpretation of the music that Empire was in revolt. Smetana, who supported maninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor.” Rachmaninoff, born in 1873, wrote most is truly artistically satisfying even if it demands Czech nationalism, decided to fight his battle on the walking on the edge of a knife blade to pull it off. concert stage, “writing music that utilized the Czech of his music before he immigrated to the U.S. language and music that shared characteristics with He toured extensively throughout the country, She’s always willing to risk a little more.” Licad is well-known for her interpretation Czech folk song and dance rhythms,” Dodson said. sometimes performing in Ann Arbor at the Uniof Rachmaninoff ’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Smetana uses the Moldau River as a metaphor for versity Musical Society series. 2012” so Monster Madness ToledoCP-T 7.5x4.5:7.5 4.5 9/12/12 9:37 “There 1will be people in our audience this culture andx identity, encouraging theAM Page Minor, the program started bySale choosing that the Czech By Renee Lapham Collins
TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR STAFF WRITER
photo by Sarah Black
Adrian Symphony Orchestra highlights Rachmaninoff.
Cecile Licad weekend who actually heard Rachmaninoff play in person,” Dodson said Dodson will present a pre-concert talk at 2 p.m. and a post-concert reception will occur in the lobby of Dawson Auditorium on the campus of Adrian College, 110 S. Madison St. Tickets are available in advance by calling the ASO at (517) 264-3121 or by going online at www.adriansymphony.org. Tickets also are available at the door. O
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