Star-Crossed Lovers

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November 4, 2024
By Hannah Schedel, Music Director

“Star-crossed lovers” is a term which is often quoted, but one that merits a closer examination. This phrase refers to lovers whose fate is determined by the stars, a concept rooted in the astrological belief that celestial bodies have the ability to shape human destinies. In the realm of classical music, many compositions explore emotional turmoil that resonates with all of us. On this program, we explore three remarkable works: Richard Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Emmanuel Séjourné’s Concerto for Marimba and Strings, and Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2. Each piece offers a unique insight into the composers’ artistic imagination and the emotions they aim to evoke.

Please join us for this concert at Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins on November 17, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Note the new venue! Details can be found here. 


Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg by Richard Wagner
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg), Wagner’s only comedic opera, stands out not only for its humor but also for its historical setting, diverging from the mythical realms typical of Wagner’s other operas. Composed over twenty-two years, the opera premiered in Leipzig in 1862. Set in sixteenth-century Nuremberg, it depicts a complicated love story between Walther and Eva, as Eva must marry the winner of a singing contest organized by the Mastersingers—a guild of amateur musicians and poets.

With the guidance of Hans Sachs, the most esteemed mastersinger, Walther learns to sing the night before the contest, and ultimately triumphs. This victory allows him not only to join the guild but also to marry Eva, creating a narrative that celebrates love, artistry, and community.

Concerto for Marimba and Strings by Emmanuel Séjourné
Kelly Grill, Marimba

The next piece, Concerto for Marimba and Strings was composed by French composer Emmanuel Séjourné who currently teaches at the Strasbourg Conservatory, Séjourné is celebrated for his innovative compositions for keyboard percussion, particularly the marimba and vibraphone. His works often blend classical traditions with jazz, rock, and world music styles.

Commissioned by marimba virtuoso Bogdan Bácanu, the concerto has seen over 500 performances since its premiere in 2006. Originally comprised of just two movements—“Tempo souple” and “Rhythmique énergique”—the piece highlights the marimba’s versatility. The second movement, with its intricate rhythms reminiscent of Spanish flamenco, showcases challenging passages in an 11/8 meter, allowing the soloist to explore the instrument’s emotional depth and technical brilliance. This lively work invites listeners to appreciate the marimba as both a lyrical and virtuosic instrument.

Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2 by Sergei Prokofiev
No exploration of a love story in music would be complete without Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. Composed as a ballet in 1935, Prokofiev later extracted movements to create three orchestral suites that illuminate Shakespeare’s tragic tale.

The suite begins with the “Montagues and Capulets,” in which the “Dance of the Knights” sets the tone for the tension felt between the feuding families. This is followed by “Juliet – The Young Girl,” which captures the youthful spirit of Juliet, and “Friar Lawrence,” which portrays the well-meaning priest. As the suite unfolds, listeners experience the intimate moments between Romeo and Juliet, culminating in the heart wrenching “Romeo at Juliet’s Grave.” This movement evokes the deep sorrow felt as Romeo, unaware of Juliet’s feigned death, takes his own life in despair, only to have her awaken moments later.

Each of these works offers a distinct perspective on love, artistry, and the human experience. Wagner’s playful yet profound opera, Séjourné’s vibrant and captivating marimba concerto, and Prokofiev’s poignant ballet suite together create a rich tapestry of musical expression. As we immerse ourselves in these compositions, we are reminded of the power of music to tell stories that resonate across time and culture. As we immerse ourselves in these compositions, we are reminded of music’s power to tell stories that resonate across time and culture. Whether through Wagner’s storytelling, Séjourné’s rhythmic innovations, or Prokofiev’s tragic beauty, each piece invites us to explore the depths of emotion and creativity found in both the world and in classical music. I’d love to see you in the audience on November 17!

Journey to Italy

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Hannah Schendel, Music Director
September 15, 2024

If you’ve ever dreamt of taking a trip to Italy, this concert is for you! Experience the rich history of Italian opera through the dramatic overture of Verdi’s Luisa Miller and discover the charming Baroque Oboe Concerto in G Major by Besozzi. Respighi’s evocative Trittico Botticelliano and Fontane di Roma paint vivid musical portraits of art and important landmarks. We will explore three paintings by renowned Italian Renaissance artist, Sandro Botticelli and take a walking tour through Rome to view four famous fountains. Each of these pieces showcases the incredible diversity and breadth of Italian classical music.

Join us on October 6, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Hopkins High School for this free performance with guest artist Cassie Pilgrim, Principal Oboe, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. You can find full event details here.

Here’s a bit more about this exciting performance:

Giuseppe Verdi’s Overture to Luisa Miller
An eminent composer in 19th-century opera, Giuseppe Verdi is known for his unique ability to weave rich orchestral textures into expressive vocal lines. His 1849 opera Luisa Miller stands as a testament to his early talent. The overture to Luisa Miller sets a dramatic tone for the opera, which is filled with intrigue and heart-wrench.

The plot is filled with numerous twists and turns, culminating in a tragic scene reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, where the characters Luisa and Rodolfo take poison in the name of their doomed love. Verdi’s overture captures the intensity of the narrative, hinting at the complex emotions and dramatic twists that lie ahead.

Alessandro Besozzi’s Oboe Concerto in G Major
Born in Parma, Italy in 1702, relatively little is known about Alessandro Besozzi’s life, career, and compositional output. Historians confirm that he trained and worked as both an oboist and composer, serving the King of Sardinia for much of his career. Alessandro lived and performed alongside his brother Paolo Girolamo, a bassoonist, sharing both their musical pursuits and sartorial choices throughout their lives. Six oboe concerti are attributed to Besozzi, though their exact dates are not certain.

This concerto, consisting of three movements, showcases the oboe’s expressive range and technical capabilities. Besozzi’s music is both lyrical and intricate, and is an elegant interplay of melody and ornamentation, reflecting the playful yet ornate nature of the Baroque period.

Thank you to Midwest Musical Imports for sponsoring Cassie Pilgrim’s performance!

Ottorino Respighi’s Trittico Botticelliano (Three Botticelli Pictures)
Next, we encounter Ottorino Respighi’s Trittico Botticelliano, a suite of early 20th century orchestral works inspired by paintings of Sandro Botticelli which are currently housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

La Primavera (The Allegory of Spring)

From left to right: Mercury, the three Graces, Venus, Flora(s), Zephyr. The music vividly portrays the joyful, floral, and sometimes breezy essence of springtime.

L’adorazione dei Magi (The Adoration of the Magi)

At the center of the painting is the nativity scene set amidst Roman ruins. The Three Magi and notable figures from Florence observe the scene. This is musically represented through the medieval hymn “Veni, veni, Emmanuel” (Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel) and through the sparkling colors that evoke the magi.

La nascita di Venere (The Birth of Venus)

From left to right: Zephyr, Aura, Venus, Hour of Spring. The strings mimic the ocean waves and the scalloping of the seashell that carries Venus to the coast of Cyprus. The music captures the grandeur of the moment and the expansive landscape.

Ottorino Respighi’s Fontane di Roma (Fountains of Rome)
Respighi’s Fontane di Roma continues our exploration of his evocative musical imagery. Each movement of Fontane is an artistic impression of four fountains located throughout Rome.

La fontana di Valle Giulia all’alba (The Fountain of Valle Giulia at Dawn)

The music evokes a pastoral scene where cattle and sheep quietly pass by the fountain during the humid hours of Roman dawn.

La fontana del Tritone al mattino (The Triton Fountain in the Morning)

Heroic horn calls (conch shells) and shimmering cymbal sprays capture the joyous and wild celebration of tritons and naiads depicted in this famous Bernini masterwork.

La fontana di Trevi al meriggio (The Trevi Fountain at Midday)

One of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, the Trevi Fountain is represented by a

solemn procession of tritons and naiads, accompanied by a trumpet herald announcing Neptune’s majestic chariot drawn by sea horses.

La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto (The Villa Medici Fountain at Sunset)

This final movement portrays the fountain bathed in the nostalgic, fading light of dusk. A mournful melody intertwines with distant church bells and softly chirping birds until everything fades into nightfall.

From Verdi’s emotionally charged overture, Besozzi’s Baroque charm, and to Respighi’s evocative musical depictions, these works offer a rich overview of Italian classical music that spans centuries and styles. Each piece not only reflects the unique voice of its composer but also immerses us in a world of artistic expression and historical context. Whether you’re a seasoned music lover or new to classical music, these masterpieces are sure to leave a lasting impression!

Dark and Light

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Hannah Schendel, Music Director
April 12, 2024

Please join the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra for “Dark and Light,” our final concert of the 2023-24 season!

One of the first concepts a painter, photographer, or sculptor must learn is how to use light, and the absence of light, to create their desired artwork. Similarly, composers learn how to create the illusion of such images using sound as their medium. Each piece on our program explores the contrasts between light and dark.

In 1903, Carl Nielsen’s wife Anne Marie, a sculptor, received a grant to study ancient Greek art in Athens. While Anne Marie spent much of her time in the Acropolis, Carl studied archaeology and composed. Inspired by the intensity of the scorching Athens sun, Helios Overture paints the image of the sun rising and falling in an arc over the Aegean Sea, emerging from and sinking back into darkness.

Tone Poem, by Chen Yi, was inspired by two poems by Sy Dong-po about southern Chinese landscape paintings. Through this sonic landscape, Chen, conveys images of sunlight, dark rain clouds, sparkling waves, and a sudden and forceful gale.

Sibelius in 1904, by Albert Engström

Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 is sometimes subtitled as “Confession of the Soul.” As we are carried through the symphony we see flickers of contrasting images, each serving to illuminate one another. Images of a frozen Finnish tundra contrast with warm country sides, encounters with Death oppose moments of intense hope, frenetic energy is juxtaposed with plaintive and tender melody. The final movement harnesses these opposing forces and unites their energy in one of the most glorious symphonic melodies.

As I reflect back on my first season as Music Director, I am inspired by the joy, commitment, and camaraderie shared by the WSO musicians. As we look to the future, we look forward to exciting concerts, new collaborations, and opportunities to expand our impact within the Twin Cities community.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, and audience members. Your impact is vital for the success and mission of this organization. Thank you!

We cannot wait to see you next season!

French Romanticism

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Hannah Schendel, Music Director
November 4, 2023

I’m excited for the WSO concert on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Please join us at 3:00 pm at Wayzata Central Middle School for our second performance of this concert season.

The three pieces on this program were all composed in France during the Third Republic, a 70-year period that arose after France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. During this period, two differing styles of French music coexisted, French Romanticism and Impressionism.

Our concert opens with Callirhoë Suite, a charming ballet suite composed by Cécile Chaminade, an accomplished pianist and composer who performed concerts throughout Europe and in the United States. As musical taste in France shifted toward Impressionism during the late 1800s, a style that Chaminade disliked, Chaminade dug her heels into the heavier French Romantic style, aligning herself with composers such as Camille Saint-Saëns and Léo Delibes.

The music is delightfully varied, pictorial, and features many short solos by various instruments.

This is followed by Édouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D Minor, a defining work in Lalo’s long compositional career. We are delighted to welcome Anthony Ross (Principal Cello – Minnesota Orchestra) to join the WSO again as our featured soloist. Throughout the concerto, the solo cello plays the part of a powerful and emotional protagonist while the orchestra plays a supporting role, occasionally interjecting with motives that include a hint of Spanish flair.

Finally, we will hear another ingenious and delightful French ballet suite entitled, Sylvia Suite, by Léo Delibes. Tchaikovsky was so impressed with the music of Sylvia that he wrote to a friend, “I was ashamed. If I had known this music early on, then of course I would not have written Swan Lake…what charm, what elegance.”

We are looking forward to seeing you there! Free – donations gratefully accepted at the door. No ticket required. Join us after the concert for a reception to meet the musicians.

2023-2024 Season

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Music Director, Hannah Schendel
August 30, 2023

I am so excited and honored to be named the new Music Director of the Wayzata Symphony. Through weathering the pandemic and embarking on a yearlong search for its next conductor, the members of the WSO have blown me away with their dedication both to the organization and to creating music at a high level. Highlights this season include three symphonies, pieces by female composers on every concert, a variety of pieces composed by diverse living composers, and the much-anticipated return of Anthony Ross (Principal Cello – Minnesota Orchestra). There will be something for everyone to enjoy!

The first concert is centered around the theme of celebration; celebrating both a new chapter in the WSO legacy and the joy that we all feel in coming together to make something beautiful. The second concert is comprised entirely of 19th century French music which features Edouard Lalo’s emotional Cello Concerto in D Minor, bookended by two ballet suites. Our third concert is thought provoking, and will challenge us to consider the sometimes subtle nuances between fate and destiny. Just as painters carefully choose their color palette, so too will we explore dark and light shades of sound in our fourth and final concert of the season.

Each and every one of these concerts has something unique to offer. The WSO is a hidden gem, presenting exceptionally high-quality and meaningful performances. Please help us to expand the impact we seek to make both musically and in our community by supporting us financially with your tax-deductible donation.

I can’t wait to see you at our concerts this season!

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Impressions of America

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Guest Conductor Notes
Hannah Schendel
April 22, 2023

I’m looking forward to conducting the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra on May 7 as we celebrate and explore the vibrant cultures, people and natural beauty of America.

The program opens with Starburst, a vivid and energetic piece composed by Jessie Montgomery. Montgomery’s individual compositional style reflects her upbringing in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, an area which is infamous for its multiculturalism within New York City. Montgomery describes Starburst as “a play on imagery of rapidly changing musical colors. Exploding gestures are juxtaposed with gentle fleeting melodies in an attempt to create a multidimensional soundscape. A common definition of a starburst: “the rapid formation of large numbers of new stars in a galaxy at a rate high enough to alter the structure of the galaxy significantly” lends itself almost literally to the nature of the performing ensemble who premiered the work, The Sphinx Virtuosi, and I wrote the piece with their dynamic in mind.”

This is followed by The Overture to the Song of Hiawatha, by British composer and conductor, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. The Overture introduces a trilogy of cantatas based on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1855 epic poem, The Song of Hiawatha. The poem, which was inspired by Longfellow’s close friendship with an Ojibwe Chief, narrates the fictional tragic love story of Hiawatha, an Ojibwe man, and Minnehaha, a Dakota woman. Many names and locations mentioned within the poem are familiar to Minnesota audiences. Coleridge-Taylor’s three cantatas were an immediate success with British audiences and were performed annually at the Royal Albert Hall for many years. The pieces were such a success that Coleridge-Taylor named his son, Hiawatha.

Finally, we hear Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, “From the New World” by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. Dvořák briefly lived in the United States where he resided in New York City and Spillville, Iowa. During these years he was inspired by African American spirituals, jazz, Native American culture, Longfellow’s Song of Hiawatha, and the beauty of the expansive plains of central America. In this symphony, Dvorak sought to pave a way forward for the future of American symphonic music by synthesizing these American influences with his own Bohemian rhythms and harmonic language.

Scottish Fantasy Inspiration

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Guest Conductor Notes
Richard Haglund
February 12, 2023

In putting together this program, I chose the Hebrides Overture, Scottish Fantasy, and Four Scottish Dances as musical works all inspired by the landscapes, folklore, and cultural heritage of Scotland. These works are examples of the Romantic era’s interest in folk music, nature, and the exotic, and they showcase the composers’ fascination with Scotland’s unique and captivating character. As a fan of American composers, I programmed Barber’s Second Essay for orchestra as a nice divertimento to this Scottish themed program.

I last performed with our soloist, Dr. Ariana Kim, in 1998 when she was quite young! Noted by The New York Times for giving “the proceedings an invaluable central thread of integrity and stylishness” and having “played with soulful flair,” violinist Ariana Kim made her New York recital debut at Carnegie’s Weill Hall during her graduate studies at Juilliard and is now a tenured professor at Cornell University. We are so fortunate to have her share her talents with us on this program.

“Excited” is the only word that comes to mind to return to this stage in Wayzata where I student taught (quite a few years ago). Looking thru the roster I know several of the performers but many are new to me and I look forward to getting to know them both on and off the stage in this exciting program that showcases the WSO in many different ways.

Why Do Animals Sing?

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Marlene’s Musings
March 28, 2022

Why Do Animals Sing?

I have wondered about nature’s music ever since my mother pointed out that it is everywhere if you will only listen. Birds, nature’s finest musicians, sing incredibly complex songs. With two sets of vocal cords, they can harmonize with themselves. Loons have been “calling” since the time of the dinosaurs! Humpback whales sing the same 30-minute song as they migrate and if one whale makes an adaptation, they all learn it and incorporate it into the song.

Our concert on May 1 is made up of pieces written by composers who were inspired by the sounds of nature and our guest, David Rothenberg, who has written many books on the subject, will provide valuable insight.

This concert will be especially meaningful for me because it will be my last as Music Director of this wonderful orchestra. It will be a bittersweet departure. As I told the musicians, my shelf life as a conductor has not expired but my instinct, which has never failed me, says it’s time for a change.

I look forward to seeing you all on May 1 at Wayzata Central Middle School at 3:00 pm. For details, visit the link below.

Why Do Animals Sing? Bugs, Birds and Whales

WSO – Resilient and Strong!

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Marlene’s Musings
July 2021

After 17 months of unwelcome hiatus, we are thrilled to be back, stronger than ever, presenting a season of exciting programs. There is mounting pressure to make orchestras and their programs more reflective of the communities they serve, so diversity in classical music has become a political – as well as an artistic – imperative. Our programs reflect our desire to embrace that challenge.

We have a fabulous new home at Wayzata Central Middle School. The auditorium provides everything we need – an acoustically superb stage, large audience capacity, welcoming reception area and ample parking.

NACHITO HERRERA! October 3 and October 10, 2021
What is so unique and miraculous about Nachito Herrera is his amazing ability to inhabit two very different musical worlds – classical and Latin jazz. He is the perfect example of how an enlightened artist can transcend various genres creating something that floats above it all. He is a Cuban immigrant who is not just breaking down barriers, he is showing that diversity is an essential part of moving humanity forward. Repertoire includes Rachmaninoff, Piano Concert No. 2 and the premiere of Esperanza (Hope). Upon waking after 11 days in the ICU recovering from COVID-19, the melody came to Nachito.

MINNESOTA’S OWN. November 21, 2021 KEVIN KLING, Special Guest
This program will be a musical tribute to Minnesota. We will showcase the creations of two MN composers, Libby Larsen and Stephen Paulus. Between each musical selection, internationally renowned MN storyteller, Kevin Kling, will share his literary genius including his original narration for Benjamin Britten’s, Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.

THE WSO CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH. FEBRUARY 27, 2022 BRUCE HENRY, Jazz vocalist/Historian
Our soloist for this program will be Jazz vocalist and African American historian, Bruce Henry. With his help, we will provide a musical overview of the African American musical voice from
1750 – 2020 including symphonies, spirituals, gospel and leading composers of the Harlem Renaissance, Duke Ellington and William Grant Still. We finish with Umoja written by Valerie Coleman, declared Performance Today’s 2020 Classical Woman of the Year.

WHY DO ANIMALS SING? May 1, 2022 DAVID ROTHENBERG, Musician/Author/ Composer/Philosopher
David Rothenberg has written several books including Why Birds Sing, Bug Music, Thousand Mile Song. He has played his amplified clarinet underwater with whales, with nightingales in Berlin and traveled the world speaking on the subject of the musical connection between humans and animals. Between all pieces, he will share his expertise and recordings of bees, birds and whales, providing fascinating connections to human music. We have commissioned him to write a piece for this concert based on our State Bird, the Loon. The piece is entitled Loon Asylum because that is what you call a group of loons.

Thank you to all of you that continued to support us during the pandemic. We are excited to resume full rehearsals in September, and look forward to seeing you at our concerts this season!

– Marlene

COVID-19 Conundrum

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Marlene’s Musings
November 16, 2020

What an incredible challenge we musicians face in this year of Covid-19! Who would have predicted that a time would come when live music performances would stop? Music, after all, has such a functional role in every part of life – weddings, funerals, church services, sporting events, school assemblies, rallies, concerts of all kinds.

But even though live performances have come to a halt, Facebook and YouTube feature a smorgasbord of virtual offerings that remind us of human creativity that knows no bounds. In order to create these musical jewels, one needs resourcefulness, diligence, confidence, hard work, problem solving, flexibility and discipline. ALL of these skills are learned through the study of music. Is it any wonder that musicians can create these amazing things?!

I am sad though because, just this week, the WSO board decided to cancel the remainder of our concerts for this season – a heartbreak because it means we won’t be able to perform together as the WSO family or collaborate with fantastic soloists – Nachito Herrera, Osmo Vänskä and Erin Keefe.

But, the good news is that we are merely postponing these collaborations until it is safe to perform together and for our loyal audience once again.

The human need for music is self-evident. Music will never stop.

Until I can see all of you again…
Marlene Pauley