Press Release – Britten & Brahms
CONTACT: Caleb Bailey 860-443-2876, [email protected]
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BRITTEN & BRAHMS– Saturday, March 18, 2023, 7:30 pm
The ECSO welcomes the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus to the Garde Arts Center stage in March, when the expanded forces present one of the greatest works of Johannes Brahms: A German Requiem, to words derived from the German Luther Bible. Sacred but not liturgical, the seven-movement Ein deutsches Requiem was composed between 1865 and 1868 for orchestra, chorus, soprano, and baritone. Its mood of grief is said to reflect the sadness Brahms felt at the loss of his mother, Johanna, in 1865. The vocal soloists are Sarah Joyce Cooper, soprano, and Eliam Ramos, bass baritone.
Also on the program is Benjamin Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings written in 1943 at the request of Dennis Brain, then principal horn of the Royal Air Force Orchestra, who premiere the piece with Britten’s life partner Peter Pears (tenor). The ECSO and the U.S. Coast Guard Band principal horn Matthew Muehl-Miller, a graduate of Juilliard and Rice, is the horn soloist and he will be joined by tenor Gene Stenger. Six of the eight movements (the first and last are horn solos) are set to texts by English poets: Charles Cotton; Alfred, Lord Tennyson; William Blake; an anonymous 15th-century poet; Ben Johnson; and John Keats.
Covid Policy:
New concert attendance guidelines have been implemented in order for concertgoers to safely enjoy the new season. While ECSO maintains its commitment to the importance of COVID-19 vaccination and encourages patrons to be up to date with their vaccinations according to their personal health requirements, as of August 11, patrons are no longer required to show proof of vaccination or negative proof of COVID-19 testing at ECSO for events. It is not mandatory to wear a mask while indoors, but you may choose to wear one.
We will continue to review the current situation and any updated guidelines from the CDC and the State of Connecticut to determine what changes may be necessary.
ECSO general copy:
We are thrilled to announce our 22-23 Season’s lineup, curated by Music Director and Conductor Toshiyuki Shimada. This season marks the 13th year under the musical leadership of Music Director and Conductor Toshiyuki Shimada. Visit www.ectsymphony.com for more information and follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube) @ectsymphony. The ECSO offers a range of affordable seating options from $65 to as low as $12 for attendance to one concert. The ECSO will continue to offer those under 40 years of age and active or retired military members $12 tickets in premium sections. ECSO is also active in promoting music education in New London by offering educational programs, watch our website for details. Founded in 1946 by Norwegian immigrant, Victor Norman, the mission of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra is to inspire, educate, and connect our communities through live orchestral music.