September 15, 1999
LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 1999-2000 performance season with a concert tribute to Johann Strauss Jr. and his contemporaries at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, in the Lied Center. The opening program is devoted to the memory of Strauss, who died in 1899.
Brian Priestman, director of orchestral activities, is conductor of the orchestra. He will be assisted by Jack Roller, Tulsa, Okla., and Trond Saeverud, Olathe, both doctoral students in conducting at KU. Guest soloists for the concert are John Boulton, flutist, and the KU Chamber Choir, directed by Simon Carrington.
The orchestral program will open with the Overture to Strauss' 1874 opera "Die Fledermaus," followed by his "Emperor Waltzes," written in 1888. Boulton will then be featured for "Concerto for Flute and Orchestra" by Cecile Chaminade.
The remainder of the program includes "Espana" by Emmanuel Chabrier; five spirituals from "A Child of our Time" by Sir Michael Tippett, featuring the KU Chamber Choir; "Perpetuum Mobile," "The Beautiful Blue Danube" and "Thunder and Lightning Polka," all by Johann Strauss Jr.; "Pizzicato Polka" by the brothers Joseph and Johann Strauss; and the Overture to the opera "William Tell" by Gioacchino Rossini.
The choral and orchestral work by Tippett, a lifelong pacifist, was written in 1938. The oratorio is a recreation in contemporary terms of the Old and New Testament oratorios of Bach and Handel. Carrington said one of Tippett's most striking innovations was the use of Negro spirituals in place of the congregational hymn or chorale. In November, the choir will perform the complete oratorio with the Kansas City Symphony, conducted by Anne Manson.
General admission tickets for the concert are now on sale in the KU box offices: Lied Center, 864-ARTS; Murphy Hall, 864-3982; and SUA, 864-3477. Tickets are $5 for the public and $4 students and senior citizens. Both VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone orders.