Southern Miss Symphony Showcases Masterworks in Voyages: Vienna to Venice
Thu, 11/02/2023 - 01:52pm | By: Mike Lopinto
In the next stop of their exciting season of performances, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Symphony Orchestra transports audiences to 18th century Western Europe in “Voyages: Vienna to Venice” on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus.
Under the direction of Dr. Michael Miles, the orchestra will present masterworks from beloved composers Antonio Vivaldi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Niccolò Paganini. Tickets are available exclusively at usm.edu/symphony.
The first stop of the evening is Venice, Italy, where esteemed composer Antonio Vivaldi lived and worked. His “Concerto for Trumpet and Strings in C Major” features sections of dramatic dialogue and contrasting slow movements.
“The Vivaldi has a fanfare like quality that our audience will love, and will set the tone for the entire concert,” said Miles.
To perform this piece, the Symphony welcomes guest artists Chris Moore, professor of trumpet at Florida State University and life-long friend of Dr. Miles, and Brian Walker, a former student of Miles and current professor of music at Tarleton State University.
The orchestra then musically travels to Vienna, Austria, the final home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Arguably the greatest composer of Western music, his “Symphony No. 35 in G major, K. 385,” highlights his ability to write deeply moving melodies and rich harmonies that are easily recognizable by audiences all over the world.
“It is the most dynamic and expressive of all the Mozart Symphonies,” Miles continued. “I think our audiences will be surprised by how much they enjoy this piece.”
The orchestra will be joined by William T. Gower Competition winner Claudio Palazzi on flute. From Alatri, Italy, Palazzi is in his first year at The University of Southern Mississippi where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in flute performance with Dr. Danilo Mezzadri.
The final stop of the evening is Genoa and Parma, Italy where the most famous violin virtuoso, Niccolò Paganini, was born and then moved to study music. The piece, “Nine Variants on Paganini for Double Bass and Orchestra” is based of Paganini’s “24th Violin Caprice” and was written by Frank Proto, considered to be one of the best double-bass performers and composers of our time.
In a rare North American appearance, Proto will be in residence at the School of Music and in attendance at the concert. Performing with the orchestra is Southern Miss professor of bass, Dr. Marcos Marchado. The demanding concerto will showcase his sensitive lyricism and virtuosic technique in this entertaining conclusion to the musical voyage.
Visit USM Symphony Orchestra for more information.