The gentle, yet forthright preacher from Montgomery, Ala., would no doubt be pleased.
As an entire nation will celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, a musical tribute to his life and legacy will ring out loudly throughout the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on Tuesday.
Maryland?s official observance of the holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader brings together the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Soulful Symphony performing, among other pieces, the world premiere of composer Darin Atwater?s “Southern Folk Sketches.”
“I?m very excited and looking forward to sharing [the piece] with the audience,” said Atwater, who founded the 75-member Soulful Symphony in 2000.
“Southern Folk Sketches” recalls deeply personal childhood memories of Atwater?s summers spent with his grandmother in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The work is comprised of six “scenes” with titles like “Southern Dawn” and “Wednesday Night Devotions.”
Speaking to what he calls the “simplicity of Southern living,” Atwater adds that, “the sounds produce feelings that the audience will resonate with.”
The evening?s program, led by BSO Associate Conductor Andrew Constantine, also includes black composer George Walker?s 1946 work “Lyric for Strings,” and George Gershwin?s “Rhapsody in Blue,” performed by pianist Stewart Goodyear.
Melissa White,a 22-year-old violinist and multiple award-winner for her inspirational playing, will solo on “Lyric for Strings.”
“This is my first performance this year, and I?m really looking forward to it,” she said. “My first performance with the BSO was when I was 16, and they were very friendly to me.”
Co-sponsored by the BSO and the Maryland Commission on African-American History and Culture, the evening?s celebration will gather together many of Maryland?s politicians and civic leaders.
“The collaboration between Soulful Symphony and the BSO has been awe-inspiring,” noted the commission?s Executive Director, Tonya Hardy.
As much so as a dynamic preacher?s life?s work.
If you go
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Soulful Symphony ? The State of Maryland?s 21st Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
» Venue: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore
» Time: 8 p.m. Tuesday
