/ Program Notes
Chiang Ching, a.k.a. Madame wide range of dramatic moods. So this the original eruption theme, and implying Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Emerson, Lake
Orchard
Mao, has gate crashed the Presidential foxtrot acts not only as an interruption that although Tarkus was defeated, he & Palmer. The orchestral arrangement
Banquet. After a few minutes she to the formal festivities of the presidential may not have died. Later reflecting on of Tarkus, also paying homage to ELP,
strips down to a cheongsam, skin-tight exchange, but also stirs the memories of the meaning of the work, Greg Lake was first performed by the TPO in
Mao Zedong and his bride in apparently
Hall
from neck to ankle. She signals the commented that it was about the futility March of 2010 and again in 2013 with
orchestra to play and begins dancing happier times. of conflict of soldiers and war. Keith Emerson in attendance for the
by herself. Maosteps down from his performance. 3
6
portrait on the wall, and they begin to Instrumentation: 2 flutes (1st, 2nd doubling
Takashi Yoshimatsu has composed
foxtrot together on piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (2nd doubling many works in a variety of genres, making
Instrumentation: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes,
on bass clarinet), 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 his debut in 1981 with Threnody to Toki. English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet,
Suntory
A d a m s , h av i n g d i s c o v e r e d t h a t trumpets, 2 trombones, tuba, timpani, pedal Over the years he has composed six 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 6 horns, 4
Hall
bass drum, cymbals, suspended cymbals, trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani,
Madame Mao had previously been an sizzle cymbals, high-hat cymbals, snare drum, symphonies, more than ten concertos for
suspended cymbals, (+splash, clash), hihat
actress in films in Shanghai, incorporated triangle, tambourine, glockenspiel, xylophone, a variety of instruments, chamber music, cymbals, triangles, brass wind chimes, antique
themes that would musically highlight Vibraphone, antique cymbals, belltree, claves, and works for piano and guitar, as well cymbals, wood block, cow bells, tambourine,
castanets, sandpaper blocks, 2 woodblocks tomtoms(3-5), snare drum, bass drums
this part of her past as well, with a as for traditional Japanese instruments. 3
(large..ord, small..muted), tamtam, marimba,
Yoshimatsus Atom Hearts Club Suites 7
vibraphone, tubular bells, piano, strings
for String Orchestra pay homage to the
Opera
Keith Emerson (1944-) [arr.by TakashiYoshimatsu] 3 3
"Tarkus"
City
6 7
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) 3
Eruption (ca. 3 min)
hatching during a volcanic eruption. Symphonic Dances op. 45 10
3
The second section Stones of the 10
Stones Of Years (ca. 3 min)
Years originally had vocals and lyrics
Iconoclast (ca. 2 min) I. Non allegro (ca. 11 min)
composed by Greg Lake, along with
Mass (ca. 2 min) II. Andante con moto (Tempo di
two other sections of the work. The valse) (ca. 10 min)
Manticore (ca. 2 min)
remaining movements depict the various
Battlefield (ca. 3 min) III. Lento assai - Allegro vivace
battles Tarkus wages with other imaginary (ca. 14 min)
Aquatarkus (ca. 5 min)
creatures along the way. Iconoclast
is depicted as a combination of a
Composed as the title track for the pterodactyl and a war plane. Mass was Originally titled Fantastic Dances,
progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & the second movement that also originally with subtitles for the three-movement
Palmers second album in 1971, Tarkus is included vocals and lyrics, this time with work initially labelled as Noon, Sergei Rachmaninov
presented in seven movements and based a number of religious reflections, and Twilight, and Midnight, this would
on an imaginary creature that is half presenting a creature which seems to be be Rachmaninoffs final composition. to collaborate with his good friend
armadillo and half tank. Keith Emerson part lizard, part lobster and part rocket- Composed during the summer of 1940, again, Michel Fokine (who had been
was apparently inspired by the drummer launcher. the composer first presented the work choreographer for the Ballets Russes),
Carl Palmers improvisations in a 10/8 as a two-piano arrangement, eventually when he approached him to ask him if he
rhythm backstage one day. Eventually The final battle takes place with orchestrating it and dedicating it to would be interested and was immediately
incorporating both 5/4 and 10/8 meter, Manticore, a creature that appears to Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia given a strong reply of interest by Fokine.
the various sections also explored walls have a lions body together with a human Orchestra who would premiere the work Unfortunately, Fokines death in 1942
of sound, which was inspired by one face and a scorpions tail. Having won in January of 1941. By the time of the kept the choreographic collaboration
of Emersons heroes John Coltrane, the first two battles, Tarkus apparently premiere the original title and subtitles from bearing fruit this time.
instead using electronics and the Moog is defeated in this final battle, falling had vanished, but with some suggesting
synthesizer to create the effect. into a river. Battlefield (the third Rachmaninoff may have intended the The first movement Non Allegro,
movement that originally had lyrics) three dances as a reflection of the various with its opening march, presents a
The storyline is depicted artistically a n d A q u a t a r k u s c l o s e t h e wo r k , stages of his life. In addition, it was contrasting middle section featuring a
inside the album cover, with the creature incorporating a march theme as well as clear that the composer had intended brief but beautiful saxophone melody, the
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/ Program Notes
first time Rachmaninoff would use the works, but this time some believe he may terribly boring and repulsive to me I dark, mysterious opening motive in the
Orchard
instrument in one of his orchestral works, have been contemplating the end of his can tell you that I am displeased with low strings that winds its way through
and for which he received support from own earthly life. With this theme taken the piece. calming and even soaring melodic lines.
the Broadway composer and arranger, up by the brass, the composer intones an Even the ancient chant for the dead, the
Hall
Robert Russell Bennett. The coda turns Orthodox chant melody in the low strings Whether his disappointment in the Dies irae, that Rachmaninoff was to use
to the strings to play a lush theme, which and woodwinds, the same melody that work was due to lingering self-doubts in a number of his works, can be heard
is taken from his First Symphony, with had appeared in the composers choral or simply his own critical ear, is difficult initially in the brass chorale at the close 3
6
piano, harp and bells woven throughout. work, All Night Vigil, referencing the to know. But perhaps due to his former of the Scherzo movement, and is referred
And although this First Symphony had not resurrection of Christ. In an expression of Moscow Conservatory teacher, Alexander to in subsequent movements.
been successful so many years before, the gratitude it seems, Rachmaninoff would Ziloti, taking the proverbial bull by the
Suntory
composer seemed intent on revisiting the write I thank thee, Lord on the final horn and deciding to have the composer Eventually, Rachmaninoff would work
Hall
theme, perhaps reviving it in a new light page of the manuscript, to complete the premiere this new work (without with conductor Nikolai Sokoloff to make
or possibly just reflecting on earlier times. final work he would compose before his his initial consent) in St. Petersburg, significant cuts to the work, with the
death. Rachmaninoff persevered and completed idea that it was otherwise too lengthy
The second movement, Andante con the work, directing the premiere on for most conductors to program. These 3
moto, is a whirling waltz, but more along Instrumentation: piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, February 9, 1908. This and subsequent cuts eliminated nearly one third of the 7
English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2
the lines of a surreal dance in a fantastical bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, performances in Moscow and Warsaw entire work, the revised version being
dream state with a feeling of melancholy were received warmly and reaffirmed the performed by conductors for many years.
3 trombones, tuba, alto saxophone, timpani,
Opera
and mystery, rather than any traditional bass drum, cymbals, snare drum, triangles, composers abilities to create exceptional But eventually the full uncut version
tambourine, tamtam, glockenspiel, chimes,
waltz. The final movement turns to piano, strings
orchestral works, even receiving another was brought back into favour and is now
the Dies Irae that Rachmaninoff had Glinka Award later that year. more frequently performed, as will be
City
referenced many times before in earlier presented by the TPO for this concert
The four movements follow traditional series.
Romantic Russian symphonic form with 3
Instrumentation: 3 flutes(3rd doubling on 10
the Scherzo following the first movement piccolo), 3 oboes (3rd doubling on English
and the lyrical slow movement (Adagio) horn), 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 4
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
3 3 3
preceding the final movement. The
work takes the listener through a wide
horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani,
bass drum, cymbals, snare drum, glockenspiel,
Symphony No. 2 in E minor op. 27 6 7 10
range of dramatic moods, from the
strings
However, it would be another two
I. Largo - Allegro moderato
years before the composer would begin
(ca. 20 min)
to pen his Second Symphony. In 1906,
II. Allegro molto (ca. 11 min)
Rachmaninoff made the decision to
III. Adagio (ca. 14 min)
relocate with his family to Dresden to
IV. Allegro vivace (ca. 15 min)
concentrate his efforts on composing. It
was there that he began to write his next
Following his first attempt at writing symphony. In the summers he would
in the symphonic genre, Rachmaninoffs return to the family estate, Ivanovka, and
Symphony No. 1 was received with such continue work throughout most of 1907.
strong criticism that it put the composer He was not satisfied with the results as
off from composing any works at all for he stated in response to inquiries about
several years. In fact it took the assistance his latest work:
of a specialist, Dr. Nikolay Dahl, and post-
hypnotic suggestion for the composer I really did finish a symphony, but to
to regain enough self-confidence to try this must be added the phrase in rough
his hand at composing again. His Piano draft. I have not announced it to the
Concerto No. 2 (1901) was his first attempt world because I want first to complete April L. Racana / Music Specialist at Nishimachi International School where she has taught since
at writing again and was a great success, it in final form. While I was planning 1992. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
(BS/Piano Pedagogy) and her graduate studies at San Francisco State University (MA/Music).
even receiving the Glinka Award in 1904. the orchestration, the work became
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