concerts

Three works position the voice of the solo oboe in a series of contrasting musical worlds. Mexican composer Mario Lavista evokes the myth of Marsyas and Apollo, exploring an encounter between human brokenness and divinity. Marsyas, represented by the oboe, traverses a landscape of shifting "harmonic fields" generated by eight crystal water glasses. Indian-American composer Reena Esmail, known for her synthesis of Hindustani and Western classical traditions, gives us a piece based on five yogic breaths (pranayam). Each movement invites the listener (but not the oboist!) into a different pattern of breath practice. Finally, we present the North American premiere of Australian composer Lachlan Skipworth's Quartet for oboe, violin, cello and piano. It's a brilliant new work that sparkles with joy and virtuosity, truly a balm for the spirit.

White Sand and Gray SandCreated in collaboration with Sarah Kortemeier of the UA Poetry Center, this program brings five chamber works into dialogue with poetry. Each pairing explores a different variety of relationship between the musical score and poetic word: Augusta Read Thomas's vibrant "Pilgrim Soul" for English horn and two violins, after a poem by Yeats; a selection of austere "Blake Songs" by Ralph Vaughan Williams for tenor voice and oboe; "Four Songs on Words of Chinese Poetry", originally composed for bass voice by Pavel Haas and reimagined here in a new transcription for English horn. Marina Dranishnikova's rhapsodic "Poem for Oboe and Piano", a work without explicit ties to a particular text, here meets a poem by Akhmatova. And the insistent "Aubade for the Continuation of Life", composed by William Bolcom in response to a novelist's depiction of nuclear cataclysm, meets Luis Glück's "Wild Iris."

Tree-ring Listening

PoeticCreated in collaboration with Sarah Kortemeier of the UA Poetry Center, this program brings five chamber works into dialogue with poetry. Each pairing explores a different variety of relationship between the musical score and poetic word: Augusta Read Thomas's vibrant "Pilgrim Soul" for English horn and two violins, after a poem by Yeats; a selection of austere "Blake Songs" by Ralph Vaughan Williams for tenor voice and oboe; "Four Songs on Words of Chinese Poetry", originally composed for bass voice by Pavel Haas and reimagined here in a new transcription for English horn. Marina Dranishnikova's rhapsodic "Poem for Oboe and Piano", a work without explicit ties to a particular text, here meets a poem by Akhmatova. And the insistent "Aubade for the Continuation of Life", composed by William Bolcom in response to a novelist's depiction of nuclear cataclysm, meets Luis Glück's "Wild Iris."

Music for the 19th AmendmentArizona Wind Quintet marks the 100th anniversary of this voting rights milestone with a retrospective of compositions by American women. Biographical vignettes accompany each short movement, as we feature a powerful cast of pioneering women from the early 20th century: Marion Bauer, Amy Beach, Johanna Beyer, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Mary Howe and Elinor Remick Warren. These musical gems, some rarely performed and unearthed from archival sources, are juxtaposed with an exciting new work, Soul on Fire, by UA faculty composer Dr. Yuanyuan (Kay) He, commissioned by AWQ for this occasion. Closing the program is music by the extraordinary composer Valerie Coleman, whose Portraits of Josephine suite is inspired by the life of Josephine Baker. The struggles Baker experienced parallel that of women of color to gain access to the ballot box. A full consideration of the history of women’s voting rights must acknowledge the ways BIPOC women were marginalized from the suffrage movement and the benefits of the 19th Amendment for decades beyond its ratification in 1920. Join us for this musical celebration of ingenuity, self-expression, boldness, and persistence.

Homenaje a MéxicoThis concert of music by all Mexican composers celebrates diverse voices in music, ranging from playful to mysterious. The program pays tribute to the Mexico City Wind Quintet’s commitment to the creation of new works, including music by composers Ana Lara (Aulos), Charly Daniels (Imágenes Oníricas), and Federico Ibarra (Juegos Nocturnos). Also featured is the well-known Danza del Mediodía by Arturo Márquez and a folk-tune setting by José-Luis Hurtado.

Incantations
Jaime-Donjuan, AlcatrazDanzi, Bläserquintett g-moll, Op. 56 No. 2Edwards, IncantationsSiqueira, Divertimento for Two Wind Quintets

Secret GardensEnigmatic chamber music for oboe: Hovhaness’s meditative Koke No Niwa "Moss Garden”; the deeply political Suite for Oboe and Piano (1939) by Pavel Haas; Rondell; Hayashi’s “Blue Rock Thrush” Sonata; Schickele’s Gardens; and the world premiere of a new work by Asha Srinivasan, inspired by the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Elegy & ArroyoPresenting two world premieres: Elegy for oboe and piano by Glen Roven and Arroyo for oboe, bassoon and piano by Tucson-based composer Jay Vosk. Completing the program are three chamber works: the lyrical Duo for Oboe and Viola by Hilary Tann; Hugo Godron's eclectic Suite Bucolique; and a rare early Romantic sonata for English horn by Italian composer Carlo Yvon.

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