Works nearly lost to time by Black Composer Chevalier are experiencing a much-deserved renaissance
The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce its January 26th concert at the historic Mount Baker Theatre. “Rising Up” features guest conductor David A. Rahbee and violin soloist Dawn Posey with a repertoire of works by Haydn, Ravel, and Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
Chevalier de Saint-Georges (born Joseph Bologne) was one of the first-known Black composers and wrote 12 violin concertos, 10 symphonies, and two sets of string quartets in the 1770s. His works were nearly lost to time but are now experiencing a much-deserved renaissance.
“One of my favorite things about this concerto is that you will never hear one violinist perform it exactly the same,” says BSO Concertmaster and violinist Dawn Posey. “As was customary in the day, violinists add their own improvisations and ornamentation, and write their own credenzas. I’m particularly excited to play the cadenza that I wrote for the second movement.”
More details and tickets are available at https://www.bellinghamsymphony.org/event/rising-up.
The concert repertoire is as follows and will run approximately 90 minutes with intermission:
Franz Joseph Haydn | Il Mondo Della Luna "The World on the Moon" Chevalier de Saint-Georges | Violin Concerto in A major, Op. 5, No. 2 Maurice Ravel orch by Rahbee| Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn | Symphony No. 104 "London"
About the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra
The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra is the resident orchestra of the Mount Baker Theatre. It performs seven concerts per season in addition to a variety of community and youth engagement programs across the calendar year. Details about the BSO and ticketing information for the current season are available at bellinghamsymphony.org.
