The Concord Orchestra presents “Spanish Passions & Nordic Vistas” at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden St. The orchestra, directed by guest conductor Robert Lehmann, performs a program of Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1, Edouard Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, and Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 3. Charles Dimmick is the violin soloist for Symphonie Espagnole. A pre-concert talk by the conductor is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 27.
Orchestra members Sarah Kiel and Alexia Schulz are Bedford residents.
Violinist Charles Dimmick enjoys a varied and distinguished career as concertmaster, soloist, and chamber musician. Praised by the Boston Globe for his “cool clarity of expression,” Dimmick is one of New England’s most sought-after orchestral musicians. He is co-concertmaster of the Boston Pops Esplanade, and concertmaster of both the Portland Symphony and the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
During the summers, Dimmick can be found serving as the concertmaster of the New Hampshire Music Festival. He has appeared as guest concertmaster for the Arizona Music Fest and the Winston-Salem Symphony.
Conductor Robert Lehmann is Professor of Music and Director of Strings Studies and Orchestral Activities at the University of Southern Maine School of Music where he conducts the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra and the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his duties at USM, he is Music Director of the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra and the White Mountain Bach Festival in New Hampshire.
The orchestra performs two Spanish-themed pieces by French composers: George Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1 and Edouard Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole. Both pieces premiered in 1875. The Lalo was originally composed for the Spanish violin virtuoso Pablo de Sarasate.
Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’ music is inspired by the lakes and forests of his native country, the long winter nights and the endless summer days when the sun never sets. Finnish folk music also influenced his music, as demonstrated by the dance rhythm at the beginning of the first movement of Symphony No. 3, as well as the lovely slow melody in the second movement. Audiences in 1907 when the work premiered, who expected music more like his romantic Symphony No. 2, were surprised by Sibelius’ relatively restrained third symphony.
This program is supported in part by grants from the Acton-Boxborough, Bedford, Carlisle, and Concord Cultural Councils, local agencies that are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Tickets for adults and seniors are $25. Admission for youth under 18 is free. For tickets and information, call 978-369-4967 or visit www.concordorchestra.com.
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