Symphony brings ‘Spooky Sounds and Scary Tales’ to Kennedy Center

Children adore scary music, especially when they are in safe surroundings with family at hand. They will be in their element at the National Symphony Orchestra Family Concert as Brad Lubman conducts Spooky Sounds and Scary Tales from the podium and Wonder Woman Lynda Carter narrates Steven Reineke’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” “This is a very effective piece that completely fits the imagery of the story,” Lubman says. “I have two daughters and remember their fascination at hearing something new. The idea that you’re sharing something you love is so motivating and a lot of fun in this case. It’s like going trick and treating.”

Indeed, the Halloween theme will prevail throughout the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. To add to the festivities, everyone on stage and most in the audience will be hiding behind their own original costumes. Could there be an Ichabod Crane or a Headless Horseman among them?

The gloriously scary program guarantees everyone tingling spines from the moment Lubman gives the downbeat for Falla’s “Ritual Fire Dance.” Imagination will take flight during the Witch’s Ride from “Hansel and Gretel” and Stravinsky’s “Infernal Dance” from “The Firebird.” And few pieces elicit more thrills and chills than Rimsky-Korsakov’s arrangement of Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” or Saint-Saens’ “Danse macabre.” More than one young listener will exit this festive and fearsome event puzzling about where the dancing skeletons go when the cock crows.

Lubman knows all about discovering the magic of music. Growing up on Long Island, he played in the school band and often attended the New York Philharmonic concerts. He was especially drawn to the percussion instruments and conducting, and soon was teaching himself to conduct. After a friend returning from music camp introduced him to Mahler’s First Symphony, he was so surprised by the composer’s nontraditional modes of musical expression that he was motivated to organize an ensemble.

During the 25 years he has been conducting, he has rarely repeated a work owing to his fondness for exploring new music. His love of variety has paired him with such artists as Elliott Carter, Pierre Boulez, Elvis Costello, Steve Reich and Oliver Knussen, with whom he studied at Tanglewood Music Center on a Fellowship in Composition. From 1989-94, he was assistant conductor to Knussen at Tanglewood.

As associate professor of conducting and ensembles at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., he is pleased that his students do not feel limited to choosing between performing with an orchestra and teaching. Instead, they are forming their own ensembles and finding new ways to express themselves in both classical and contemporary music.

“I hope that each child attending the NSO program will come away having been turned on by something, perhaps a piece of music, an instrument, or a sound so alluring and captivating they can’t wait to hear more,” he says. “I always love live music and seeing an orchestra. There’s nothing like a huge body of musicians on stage to open young minds. It would not surprise me if there is a star of tomorrow in the audience.”