From an ancient buried past in Pompeii, to an outer-worldly future, The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert on WRTI transports us to different worlds this Sunday, July 25th at 1 pm on WRTI 90.1 and on Monday, July 26th at 7 pm on WRTI HD-2.In this re-broadcast from 2015, we’ll hear excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, John Williams’s music from the film, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1977. It was his third collaboration with director Steven Spielberg, immediately following their great success with Jaws.
Next, it’s Graffiti, by the celebrated contemporary Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg, transporting us back to ancient times in the Roman city of Pompeii. The Latin text, which is sung by the Philadelphia Singers Chorale in their final performance with the Philadelphians, uses words that were discovered on the ruined walls of the city, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago.
In the wake of leadership changes and the loss of funding from a major supporter, the Philadelphia Singers has, since this performance, ceased operations.
And finally, Sergei Prokofiev’s music for the ballet Romeo and Juliet comes to life. Shakespeare’s play has inspired many composers; Prokofiev’s brilliant score is one of its greatest realizations.
Stéphane Denève, who was then Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor, was back on the podium for this concert from April 2015. During intermission, WRTI’s Susan Lewis and Kile Smith speak backstage with Maestro Denève and David Hayes, director of the Philadelphia Singers Chorale.
PROGRAM:
John Williams: Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Magnus Lindberg: Graffiti, for chorus and orchestra
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
INTERMISSION
Prokofiev: Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet
Stéphane Denève, Conductor
