Live musical performance transforms our emotions. Feel that power THIS WEEKEND with Philharmonia Fantastique! Beyond the brilliance and beauty of the music, these concerts offer a chance to connect with the technical excellence and artistic vision of three dynamic composers.
A towering figure in 19th-century music, Johannes Brahms had a profound and lasting effect on the classical tradition. His body of work, which includes symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and choral pieces, is celebrated for its emotional depth and thematic development. Brahms' ability to merge classical forms with new elements established him as a link between the classical and Romantic eras, reflecting a deep understanding of both tradition and innovation. Brahms' approach to composition was more self-aware and constructive than intuitive, and he knew that nothing is created without effort. As he said around the time of the completion of his first symphony: “That which you would call invention, that is to say a thought, an idea, is simply an inspiration from above…it is a present, a gift, which I ought even to despise until I have made it my own by right of hard work.”
Our featured composer Mason Bates has significantly impacted the world of classical and electronic music through his unique fusion of acoustic and electronic elements. His work often incorporates electronic effects and live sampling, reflecting the rhythms and textures of modern life. Known for his genre-defying approach, Bates blends traditional orchestration with current technology, creating vibrant, immersive soundscapes that challenge conventional boundaries. Bates created the music for The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, the most popular new opera in Santa Fe Opera's history and one of the top-selling operas in the company's history; it won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording. He has been praised for his ability to infuse classical music with a fresh, dynamic energy, and his compositions continue to receive acclaim for their originality and relevance, reshaping how audiences experience orchestral music. "We don’t always think about the orchestra as a marvel of technology," he has said. "But it is very much one of the best examples of interactive technology we have.”
Martin Gaskell is a local Santa Cruz composer and astronomer who brings a special blend of scientific inquiry and musical artistry to his craft. His dual expertise allows him to create works that resonate with both the grandeur of the cosmos and the intricacies of human emotion. He finds that places and sights inspire his music, and that the music in turn brings up images of those scenes. While he does notice similarities between conducting scientific research and composing music, Gaskell tends to stay away from making his music too cerebral. He wants his music to be both pleasant to listen to and a reflection of the beauty God has created in the universe, both in the heavens above and here on Earth.
Classical Series Concert 1: Philharmonia Fantastique
Johannes Brahms: Symphony no. 1
Mason Bates: Philharmonia Fantastique
Martin Gaskell: Ceremonial Music
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 at 7:30 PM at Civic Auditorium
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Henry J. Mello Center