A ProMusica Weekend: History Comes Alive

FOUR AUDIO PIECES, ALL INTERVIEWS The old and the new converged at the Southern Theatre and the Pontifical CollegeJosephinum last weekend as ProMusica Chamber Orchestra welcomed three guests: Composers Michael Daugherty and Derek Bermel, along with baritone Christopheren Nomura. This is one of those times that you really did need to attend both performances. The only common threads for the weekend were Mozart's 29th Symphony and baritone Christopheren Nomura. Mr. Nomura has performed with some of the worlds finest orchestras and conductors, including the Boston Symphony and San Francisco Symphony, under the likes of Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. Saturday's performance at the Josephinum featured two disparate works: Bach's Cantata 82 and the gorgeous "Songs of a Wayfarer" by Gustav Mahler, both sung by Mr. Nomura, along with Mozart's 29th Symphony. [audio:tim-soloist_mozart.mp3] Timothy Russell discusses Christopheren Nomura and Mozart Then on Sunday evening at the Southern, Mr. Nomura presented his third piece of the weekend, Letters From Lincoln, which is a stirring setting of Lincoln's own words by Michael Daugherty. [audio:tim-daugherty.mp3] Timothy Russell discusses Michael Daugherty Letters from Lincoln is one of TWO regional premieres performed Sunday evening.  The other was by one of music's hottest composers, Derek Bermel.  Bermel's A shout, a whisper, and a trace is dedicated to the memory of Serge and Natalie Koussevitzky and was inspired by the reading of letters written by Bela Bartok. [audio:tim-derek-bermel.mp3] Timothy Russell discusses Derek Bermel [audio:tim-commissioning.mp3] Timothy Russell discusses commissions As always, the Southern Theatre performance was followed by Coda, an opportunity for those attending the concert to meet the guest artists and composers and find more about them and their music.  Timothy Russell and I led the lively discussion which you'll be able to hear as part of ProMusica's next broadcast season this fall on WOSU-FM.  As usual, a weekend with ProMusica is full of great music and great surprises.  If you were unable to attend, I hope you can join us next time! -- Boyce Lancaster