Alexandria Symphony Celebrates Strings with an American Premiere
ASO Presents Something Old, Something New, and Something Borrowed
Alexandria, VA— The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will present a program entitled Banner on Saturday, February 11, 2023 (7:30 p.m.) at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center and Sunday, February 12, 2023 (3:00 p.m.) at the George Washington Masonic Memorial. The premiere will be paired with one of the most loved and greatest symphonies in the canon: Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 in D major. Commonly known as the London Symphony, it’s the last among his 12 symphonies composed for English audiences while in residence in London.
“Begun in 1779, the Sinfonia Concertante’s 138 increasingly sparse bars were left dangling for a few centuries until my friend and composer Jeffrey Ching completed it with other movements by Mozart to constitute this American premiere,” says Maestro James Ross. “It’s brought lovingly to light for the first time in the U.S. by the estimable Thalea String Quartet, who specialize in bringing old and new together in genre-defying ways.”
Barber’s Adagio for Strings transcends time and genre, composed as a movement for string quartet, extracted as an arrangement for string orchestra, and has since been adapted numerous times, including as a sacred vocal rendition. Commissioned for the 200th anniversary of The Star-Spangled Banner, Jessie Montgomery’s Banner incorporates her own complex relationship with the anthem while reflecting on the milestones and progress that our country has achieved over the last two centuries. Montgomery’s Banner and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante feature members from Thalea String Quartet.
The Thalea String Quartet brings their signature vibrancy and emotional commitment to dynamic performances that reflect the past, present, and the future of the string quartet repertoire while celebrating diverse musical traditions from around the world. Fueled by the belief that chamber music is a powerful force for building community and human connection, the Thalea String Quartet has performed across North America, Europe, and China. Christopher Whitley (violin) is originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Kumiko Sakamoto (violin) is from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; Lauren Spaulding (viola) is from San Antonio, Texas; and Alex Cox (cello) is from West Palm Beach, Florida.
Adult prices for single tickets start at $20, and all tickets for youth are priced at $5, making ASO concerts affordable for families. Military, senior and group discounts are also available in select sections. Seating is very limited at the George Washington Masonic Memorial and is almost sold out, so book your tickets early. Visit www.alexsym.org or call (703) 548-0885 for more information.
HAYDN, MOZART & BARBER’S ADAGIO – Banner
James Ross, Music Director
Thalea String Quartet:
Christopher Whitley, violin
Kumiko Sakamoto, violin
Lauren Spaulding, viola
Alex Cox, cello
MONTGOMERY: Banner
MOZART: Sinfonia Concertante (American Premiere)
BARBER: Adagio for Strings
HAYDN: Symphony No. 104 “London”
Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center
Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
George Washington Masonic Memorial
Tickets: Adult tickets start at $20. Student tickets $15 (with ID). Youth tickets $5 The mysterious “red violin” — the very instrument that is said to have inspired the Academy Award-winning 1998 film The Red Violin — will be played live on stage as… more(age 18 & under) with adult purchase. Military, senior and group discounts available in select selections. Purchase at www.alexsym.org or call 703-548-0885.
Free parking provided by the ASO at both venues. The Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center is accessible by Metro bus lines 7A, 7B, 7F, 7Y, 25A, 25C and 25E, as well as DASH bus line AT6. The George Washington Masonic Memorial is accessible by the Blue and Yellow metro line (King Street station), numerous Metro, Dash and Richmond Highway Express bus lines, and the King Street Trolley in Old Town, Alexandria.
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