FSU Chamber Orchestra Recital

Frostburg State University Chamber Orchestra to Present ‘Autumn Echoes’ Nov. 8

The Frostburg State University Chamber Orchestra will present its fall concert, “Autumn Echoes,” on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of the Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

The eclectic program will feature works spanning centuries, cultures and musical traditions, including compositions by W.A. Mozart, Yukiko Nishimura, Joseph “José” White, Gabriel Fauré and Katahj Copley.

The concert will open with Mozart’s String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K. 590, the final of his three “Prussian” quartets. Composed in 1790 and dedicated to King Frederick William II of Prussia, an amateur cellist, the work was Mozart’s final string quartet and reflects the composer’s continued engagement with the Classical-era style associated with Haydn.

Contemporary composer Katahj Copley’s “Speakah Box” brings a distinctly modern perspective to the program. Copley is known for blending traditional compositional techniques with popular musical influences, and the work explores the harmonic and melodic elements of popular music while highlighting the unique capabilities of string instruments.

The program also will feature Gabriel Fauré’s “Pavane,” one of the French composer’s best-known works. Originally composed for piano and inspired by a traditional Spanish court dance, the piece was later arranged for orchestra, with a subsequent version incorporating chorus. “Pavane” showcases Fauré’s ability to develop elegant and refined musical ideas within a compact form.

Yukiko Nishimura’s “Shining Echoes” offers four miniature musical landscapes for strings. The through-composed work creates an uplifting atmosphere while incorporating reflective and ethereal moments that provide contrast and opportunities for musical pause.

Rounding out the program is “La Bella Cubana” by Afro-Cuban composer Joseph “José” White Lafitte. Originally written for two violins, the habanera captures both the melodic romance of the dance form and the rhythmic energy of Afro-Cuban music.

Together, the works on “Autumn Echoes” offer audiences an opportunity to experience the expressive range of string music, from the elegance of Mozart and Fauré to the contemporary sounds of Copley and Nishimura and the vibrant rhythms of White.

For more information, contact the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance at 301-687-4109 or visit www.frostburg.edu/concerts.