The Concord Orchestra presents “Songs of Spring” at 8 p.m. on May 20 and 3 p.m. on May 21 at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden. The orchestra, directed by guest conductor Nathaniel Meyer, performs a program of Giuseppe Verdi’s Nabucco Overture, Franz Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture, and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. A pre-concert talk by the conductor is scheduled for Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
The winner of the inaugural Vincent C. LaGuardia Conducting Competition and a finalist and prizewinner of the American Prize in Conducting, Nathaniel Meyer received the Wrexham Prize in Music from Yale and the Artistic Excellence Award from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with David Effron and Arthur Fagen, earning a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting, and serving as assistant conductor of the Opera and Ballet Theater.
“It is so moving, and so thrilling to encounter the tremendous harmonic mastery and sheer melodic inventiveness of these three great Romantic artists at the height of their compositional power! … Their music has as much relevance and resonance today, as ever before—these compositions are truly a soundtrack to our lives. … And we experience the spirit of renewal, the awakening of nature, embodied in their Song,” Meyer wrote.
Nabucco was Verdi’s first successful opera. The overture contains many of the familiar themes from this opera, based on the biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar. Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture, written early in his career, begins with a lovely, lyrical Andante section, followed by an exciting Allegro Vivace.
Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 was written in 1877 while Brahms was staying in a picturesque lakeside town in Austria. It is an audience favorite
Patrons are invited to stay after the performance on Sunday to chat with new Music Director Zeke Fetrow and learn about the concerts planned for next season. Subscription cards for the 2023-2024 season will be available at the concert and also available online starting in May.
Tickets for adults and seniors are $25. Admission for youth under 18 is free. For tickets and information, call 978-369-4967 or visit www.concordorchestra.com.
