Midcoast Symphony Orchestra “Majestic Earth Movements”

Midcoast Symphony Orchestra “Majestic Earth Movements”

Location: Franco Center, 46 Cedar St, Lewiston, ME 04340 Date: October 26 at 7:00 p.m., or 6:00 pm for our free “More with Midcoast” pre-concert event.

The Midcoast Symphony Orchestra (MSO), conducted by Rohan Smith, launches the symphony’s 35th season with a concert entitled “Majestic Earth Movements.” The performance begins with the Maine premiere of “Bridges” by contemporary New Orleans native Courtney Bryan, continues with Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante featuring Kimberly and Robert Lehmann, and concludes with Jean Sibelius’ Symphony Number 5. “Bridges” is receiving its Maine premiere at the MSO’s October concerts.

Courtney Bryan is a 2023 MacArthur Fellow whose work blends elements of African American music traditions with modern classical music. Bryan wrote “Bridges” in 2019 while she was the composer in residence at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. She wanted to pen a tribute to the city and the many bridges that connect the various neighborhoods. Its striking harmonies and strong percussion are inspired by the improvisational sounds made by young students as well as the early encounters by disparate cultures in Northeast Florida.

A hybrid between a symphony and a concerto, Sinfonia Concertante was written by Mozart in 1779 at the age of 23 as an experiment with then-new music forms from Western Europe. It’s a beautiful and moving conversation between string sections that was his most mature composition to date and cemented Mozart’s reputation as one of the most brilliant composers of all time.

Sibelius’ Symphony Number 5 is one of the Scandinavian composer's most popular pieces and was commissioned by the Finnish government in celebration of his 50th birthday. Originally written in 1915 and revised a few times over the next 4 years, the piece evokes the beauty of the unique Nordic landscape and contains a magnificent theme for the finale inspired by a dream of 16 swans. It is a romantic and triumphant celebration of the glorious presence of nature.

As a part of MSO’s “More with Midcoast” community outreach series audience members are invited to arrive one hour early for an informal conversation with the Lehmanns to learn about their background and connection to the Mozart piece they will be performing in the concert.

Additionally. during intermissions at FRANCO we bring you talented local youth artists. For this concert singer Isla Shovilin will be accompanied by pianist Ryan Sweet in the Heritage Hall downstairs from the main concert hall.
Isla Shovilin is a 15 year old from Greene who is a high school sophomore at Waynflete in Portland. Ryan Sweet is a senior at Mount Ararat High School in Topsham, Maine.

Information about all of the compositions and artists that are part of the 2024/25 MSO season is available on our website at www.midcoastsymphony.org. Individual tickets for “Majestic Earth Movements” are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. This season MSO concerts are free for audience member 25 and under. Season tickets for the MSO’s four-concert 35th season, entitled “Elemental Music to Stir the Soul,” are available for $75. In addition to the savings, the season ticket includes a voucher for one “Bring-a-Friend” ticket. MSO tickets, including free student tickets, are paperless. Audience members, including those 25 and under requesting FREE tickets, are encouraged to purchase tickets up to 24 hours in advance of each concert, either online or via the Box Office. Check-in ("Will Call") is in the lobby before the concert.

Complete concert and ticket information is available at midcoastsymphony.org or by calling the box office at (207) 481-0790.