The Three Bs are A-OK
Join the Newport Symphony Orchestra for a performance of pieces by “The Three B’s:” Beethoven, Barber and Bloch, this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4 and 5, at the Newport Performing Arts Center.
This November Concert Series presentation features Grammy Award-winning soloist, Johnny Gandelsman performing the heavenly Beethoven “Violin Concerto op. 61,” Samuel Barber’s “Symphony No. 1” and Ernest Bloch’s “Poems of the Sea.”
Beethoven “Violin Concerto, op. 61”
Performed in three movements, the orchestra goer can hear a significant opening introduction by the orchestra before the violin makes its first appearance to the listener’s ear, initially being ushered in with timpani.
Soon after, you might hear that well-known Beethoven tension with repeating chords that seem to hit that particular spot in the heart where one feels things — this piece embodies everything humans love about this era of music.
Barber “Symphony No. 1”
Typical Barber compositions make us think of beautiful and rich strings. In contrast, this symphony brings a different complexity to the listener, often quickly bouncing back and forth between minor and major sections. The symphony is performed in one movement, yet it contains all the various transitions, the beauty of different moods and the musical changes of a many movement symphony.
Bloch “Poems of the Sea”
The piece explores the feelings of Bloch, who spent his golden years as a resident of Newport’s Agate Beach. This piece has a beautiful way of using winds after intense string sections to bring the listener into different spaces of recognizing the beauty and calmness after a storm. Written in three movements: Waves, Chanty and At Sea, it’s clear these pieces mean to evoke the beauty and ruggedness of the sea and all of its inhabitants.
Saturday’s concert begins with a talk by conductor Adam Flatt at 6:45 pm, followed by the music at 7:30 pm. Sunday’s concert begins at 2 pm. After each concert, guests are invited to a Wine-Down, featuring snacks and wine from Flying Dutchman Winery.
Tickets are $44.25 to $69.75 or $15.50 for students.
The Newport Performing Arts Center is located at 777 W Olive Street. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.