There will be no preaching during Richard Danielpour?s “Rocking the Cradle” world premiere.
“I will never tell a listener what they should feel,” the composer said. “It?s about asking questions. I?m asking through this piece, ?Is it all worth it? Is it right?? ”
Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony, Danielpour wrote “Rocking the Cradle” in response to the tragic events of Sept. 11 and the ensuing Iraq war.
“As an artist,” he said, “when an issue crosses over from the political [and] becomes humanitarian, it is my responsibility to speak about it through my work.”
The title, “Rocking the Cradle,” is allegorical, “involving both the cradle of civilization and the cradle representing what we are doing with our young people,” the socially committed composer said.
“Richard?s music is an expression of his very strong social conscience,” said BSO Director of Artists and Special Projects Miryam Yardumian. “Through his compositions, he draws attention to global issues, and he does it in a manner that is both sensitive and accessible.”
Juanjo Mena, the principal conductor and artistic director of Spain?s Bilbao Orchestra, will conduct “Rocking the Cradle” as well as Ravel?s “Daphnis et Chloe, Suite Nos.1 and 2.”
IF YOU GO
BSO Celebrity Series and the world premiere of Richard Danielpour?s “Rocking the Cradle”
» Venue: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore
» Time: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday
» Tickets: $25 to $78
» More info: 410-783-8000, www.baltimoresymphony.org
