Cornelia Laemmli Orth leads the Symphony of the Mountains through a season of concerts throughout the region.
Symphony of the Mountains, under the direction of Music Director Cornelia Laemmli Orth, has a busy summer season planned.
It kicks off with “Go for Baroque!” June 5 and 6 at First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Tennessee. A Symphony of the Mountains chamber ensemble presents Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto #1.” This work, scored for three oboes, two French horns, solo violin, strings and harpsichord, is the first in a set of six of the best-known instrumental works of the 18th century. Also on the program is Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” The composer said once, “There are no words, there is only music.” And yet, ironically, his best-known work “Four Seasons” is based upon a series of sonnets.
Featured soloist Christina Bouey shines on the Stradivarius “Artot” violin. The instrument, on loan from the Juilliard School, was made by 84-year-old Antonio Stradivari in Cremona, Italy, in 1728. Bouey and her Ulysses Quartet are currently in residence at the storied music school.
The Saturday, June 5, concert is at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday concert is at 3 p.m. Tickets are $35 and are on sale either from the office or website. Students and children are admitted free. However, reservations must be made ahead of time through the symphony office.
The symphony’s string ensemble, the “Mountain Strings,” goes on the road in June playing eight concerts in three states. Thanks to special grants, the group presents free concerts in Jonesville, Virginia, and Big Stone Gap, Virginia, Saturday, June 26 as well as June 27 in Kingsport, Tennessee and Bristol. They will also play two ticketed concerts in Banner Elk, North Carolina, June 28 sponsored by the Forum at Lees-McRae College.
The program includes a variety of styles of music including Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” Strauss’ “Blue Danube Waltz,” as well as music of Leroy Anderson, Georges Bizet and Fritz Kreisler. Treasured church hymns such as “Amazing Grace” and “The Lord’s Prayer” give time to reflect on the difficulties of the past year. The finale of the concert is a medley of Appalachian tunes arranged by local composer Benjamin Dawson including an original work, the “Woodbooger Waltz.”
The tour schedule is June 26 at 3 p.m., at the Cumberland Bowl Park Amphitheater, Jonesville, Virginia; June 26 at 7 p.m. at the June Tolliver Playhouse, Big Stone Gap, Virginia; June 27 at 3 p.m., at the Farmer’s Market in Kingsport, Tennessee; June 27 at 7 p.m., at the Cumberland Square Park Amphitheater, Bristol, Virginia; and June 28 at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, North Carolina.
Symphony of the Mountains concludes its summer season July 23-25 with its tour through Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Wise, Virginia, and the Allandale Mansion Amphitheater in Kingsport, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.symphonyofthemountains.org or call the symphony office at 423-392-8423.
