A tribute to love is on the Valentine?s Day bill at the Peabody Institute tonight. Conductor Harlan Parker and the Peabody Wind Ensemble present Johan de Meij?s “Casanova,” a musical portrait of the legendary Italian lover and incorrigible womanizer.
“Somewhat appropriate for the day,” Parker quipped, noting that the high points of the piece deal with Casanova?s court life, his seductions, escape to a monastery and his love affair with two nuns.
Michael Kannen, Peabody?s chamber music chair, will be performing the role of Casanova ? on the cello.
“This is part of a genre of cello pieces where you get to play a character,” Kannen said. “The cello takes on all the aspects of acting.”
Also included in the program are two world premieres, “Kansas Town When the Sun Goes Down” by Ty Alan Emerson and “Mixed Signals” by Mark Lortz. Both composers are Peabody graduates.
The Kansas piece, according to Parker, endeavors to create a mood that captures the feeling of Western Kansas.
” ?Mixed Signals? combines the frenetic and powerful electrical energy of digital circuitry with musical twists and turns in sound, color and whiplash effects,” said composer Mark Lortz of his work. “There is an underlying rhythmic current (the signal) running through the piece with constant trickery and deception.”
Also featured on the program is David Faleris? work, “The Skies Above Lexington Market,” a piece based on photos he took from his apartment overlooking the world-famous municipal market place. A tonal piece, it conjures the mood of a storm brewing.
IF YOU GO
Peabody Wind Ensemble
» Venue: Peabody Institute, Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall, 17 E. Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore
» Time: 7:30 p.m. today
» Tickets: $18, $10 for seniors and $8 for students
» More info: 410-659-8100 ext. 2
