Who's Your Favorite Composer?

We sat down with the BYSO Music Director, Dr. Teresa Metzger Howe, to chat with her about her favorite composer. This will be a reoccurring feature for the BYSO blog, so if you want to share who your favorite composer is let us know at marketing@byso.org.

For the longest time, when someone would ask me who my favorite composer is, I would always answer, “Chopin.” I discovered Chopin while in high school. I love his piano music with its exquisitely beautiful melodies, limpid ornamentations, and rubato tempi. His nocturnes, etudes, mazurkas and waltzes were all a joy to play. And his first piano concerto, played by Gina Bachauer, was my favorite record.
Now that my main musical expression is conducting orchestras, I would have to say that Beethoven has taken first spot in my heart. I have conducted his 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th symphonies and now, this season with the BYSO Youth Symphony, the first movement of his 7th symphony.
Many people feel that his first and second symphonies are “primer” Beethoven – that is, classical symphonies that are quite influenced by Mozart. I conducted these symphonies when I taught at Lakeside Upper School and they are perfect for a young, small orchestra. But even in the infancy of his symphonic writing, I hear muscular writing, dynamics used for surprise, and a propulsive energy.
His 3rd symphony, the “Eroica,” broke the mold, as everyone knows. The sheer length of the movements, the harmonic richness, the rigorous fugue in the first movement, the brooding second movement that takes a loooong time to unfold, the myriad of variations in the fourth movement all create a very hefty work. I conducted this symphony with Rain City Symphony, a community orchestra in Seattle. We were all exhausted by the time the last note was played.
His 5th symphony is famous for its “fate knocking at the door” motif in the first movement. While not as long as his 3rd, it seems perfectly composed – terse, exciting, but also lyrical at times. I conducted this symphony at Rain City as well and we fared better with it, although the vigorous fourth movement had us panting for breath by the conclusion.
The first movement of his 7th symphony was programmed by “popular choice,” that is, it had appeared on many “wish lists” of repertoire that I occasionally solicit from the BYSO musicians. I’m glad we played it. Its mighty first chord followed by a wistful melody is expanded until we reach the jaunty Vivace section. Then it is pure Beethoven – energy and muscle interspersed with relaxation until the rush to the end of the movement with the insanely high French horn calls!

- Dr. Metzger Howe

We want your photos?

Do you have any funny photos from backstage? Parents, do you have any great shots from the audience? We want to fill the BYSO Blog with photos, so please send your submissions to marketing@byso.org!

Video Games Live at The Paramount Theatre

If you like video games and you like music, how could this not be the perfect concert to attend? On January 24th, 2009 at 8pm The Paramount Theatre offers the Seattle area a unique night “at the orchestra.”

Check out the details from The Paramount Theatre’s website:

Video Games Live is an immersive concert featuring music from the greatest video games of all time. Created and produced by industry veterans and world famous video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall; top orchestras and choirs around the world perform along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.

Special events include a pre- and post-show festival where guests enjoy interactive game demos, prizes, a costume contest, game competitions and a meet-and-greet with top game composers and designers. Picture the excitement and energy of a rock concert mixed with the power and emotion of a symphony orchestra combined together by the technology, interactivity, stunning visuals and fun that only video games can provide. Completely synchronized cutting-edge video screen visuals, state-of-the-art lighting and special on-stage interactive segments dazzle audiences of all ages – gamers and non-gamers alike.

A Pre-Show Festival is open to all ticket holders and includes game demonstrations and competition, costume contest and prizes. A Post-Show Meet & Greet is also open to all attendees and features industry designers/creators, composers/sound designers, voice actors, performers and more special guests.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.theparamount.com

LAST MINUTE OPPORTUNITY!

From www.theparamount.com/education/mm.asp

MORE MUSIC @ THE MOORE is a training and performance program for selected young artists representing diverse music genres. The program provides young artists training and rehearsal time with professional musicians; production and promotional support; recording experience; and the opportunity to perform live in concert at a professional venue, The Moore Theatre.

Mentors for the program have included: STG Artist-in-Residence, New York based violinist, conductor and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain; Ernestine Anderson, jazz singer; Dave Dederer from The Presidents of the United States of America; R&B singer Felicia Loud; Sheldon Reynolds of Earth, Wind and Fire; Michael Shrieve, original drummer of Santana; and Alan White, drummer for Yes. “Honestly. Highlight of my lifetime, right here.”- More Music @ The Moore participant, age 19

LAST MINUTE OPPORTUNITY - SEEKING TEEN MUSICIANS- SUBMISSIONS DUE JANUARY 15, 2009!Seeking teen musicians to perform in More Music @ The Moore on May 8, 2009 at The Moore Theatre. To apply, send a brief bio and a CD sample or electronic such as mp3, MySpace or Youtube by email to Education or mail to: Seattle Theatre Group Attn: More Music @ The Moore911 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101.
For questions, call 206-467-5510,ext 1171 or email Education.

BYSO students, this is a unique opportunity! We hope you consider applying, and if you do, please let us know!

BYSO Blog!

Welcome to the newest addition to the BYSO Website – the BYSO Blog! This weekly blog will be filled with fun facts, exciting upcoming events, interesting articles, and special guest blogs from students, parents, and staff. In addition to our e-newsletters, mailings, the website, and our concert programs we are reaching out to connect with you through this blog.

Our vision for the BYSO Blog is to have the opportunity to connect with the BYSO friends & family in an informal, fun, and informational way. We’ll often read an interesting article or hear about an event we are sure the BYSO students would be interested in, and wish we had an easy way to communicate the news with everyone connected to BYSO.

So, please remember to check out the blog when you are on the BYSO website, or better yet, bookmark it and check back regularly. The blog will have a section for your comments, and we sure do hope to hear from you too! Let us know what you think about the posts, if you end up attending any of the events we share with you, or if you hear of other events of interest. Also, if you would like to be a guest blogger we would love to hear from you! You can email us at marketing@byso.org for more information.

- BYSO Marketing