Any 150th anniversary calls for a celebration extraordinaire. And when the honoree is the world-famous PeabodyInstitute, it seems only fitting that a monumental musical collaboration between students of the teaching conservatory and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra should mark that event.
Maestra Marin Alsop, the BSO?s new music director will honor the Institute by leading a very special performance at the Meyerhoff this weekend that features both groups of musicians performing Strauss? monolithic Alpine Symphony.
“I think the collaboration between Peabody and the BSO is a fantastic connection between one of the finest music schools in the world and one of the finest orchestras in the world,” said BSO Assistant Concertmaster and Peabody graduate, Igor Yuzefovich. “And these two institutions are only a few blocks apart from one another!”
The excitement over the groundbreaking union of the two is contagious. Jeffrey Sharkey, director of the Peabody Institute sees the concert as an exciting opportunity for students to sit and perform next to professional musicians who have already achieved goals shared by many at Peabody.
“It is a great honor for Peabody to be part of Marin Alsop?s first concerts as the BSO?s music director designate [and] to work with a conductor of her caliber.”
The choice of the tone poem, Alpine Symphony is a good one, as it is often considered a work for special occasions requiring more than 150 instruments in its vivid and melodious chronicles of Alpine climbers. The piece was, in fact, included on the wish list compiled by the BSO of the 20 pieces they would most like to present to the audiences. The Peabody students are thrilled as well.
“The students? excitement is invigorating,” Alsop said. “It enables all of us to re-experience the thrill of playing these great works for the first time.”
Stravinsky?s Rite of Spring, a signature piece of the Alsop repertoire, will also grace the evening?s program.
IF YOU GO
Peabody Sesquicentennial Celebration with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
» Venue: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore
» Times: 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday
» Venue: Music Center at Strathmore
» Time: 3 p.m. Sunday
» Tickets: $25 to $75
» Info: www.baltimoresymphony.com
