Brightmusic’s Chamber Music Reconstructed features Maestro Joel Levine conducting

On Tuesday, October 18, Oklahoma City’s Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble will present its most ambitious concert to date in Chamber Music Reconstructed, featuring works arranged for large chamber ensemble. The highlight will be an appearance by guest artist, Maestro Joel Levine, Music Director and Conductor of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra, to conduct the larger ensembles.

The works on the program are Jean Sibelius’ En Saga Septet, reconstructed by Gregory Barrett for two violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute and clarinet; Carl Nielsen’s Clarinet Concerto, arranged by Rene Orth for clarinet, two violins, viola, cello, double bass, bassoon, horn and percussion; and Johannes Brahms’ Serenade No. 1 in D major, Op. 11, reconstructed by Alan Boustead for violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, two clarinets, bassoon and horn.

Eleven Brightmusic musicians will appear under the baton of Maestro Levine. This is the first time Brightmusic will present an ensemble large enough to require a conductor. A reception in Maestro Levine’s honor immediately follows the concert. All are invited to the reception to meet the Maestro and the Brightmusic musicians.

Levine is the longest-serving music director in Oklahoma City’s history and is one of the most versatile and active conductors in America.

Beginning with the Oklahoma Symphony and continuing with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic that took its place, described as one of the most successful and stable orchestras in the country, Maestro Levine has a well-deserved international reputation as a consummate artist and exceptional musical collaborator.

He has conducted many of the country’s major orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra and the orchestras of St. Louis, Detroit, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Seattle, Denver and others. Under his leadership, the OKC Philharmonic has become a world-class ensemble. 

In addition to Levine, artists appearing in this second concert of Brightmusic’s season are Gregory Lee (Violin); Katrin Stamatis (Violin); Mark Neumann (Viola); Meredith Blecha-Wells (Cello); George Speed (Double Bass); Parthena Owens (Flute); Chad Burrow (Clarinet); Joshua Anderson (Clarinet); Rodney Ackmann (Bassoon); Kate Pritchett (Horn); and David Steffens (Percussion).

The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 127 NW 7th Street (at Robinson). Individual concert admission is $20 per ticket. Children, students and active-duty military personnel are admitted free with ID. In addition, anyone suffering financial hardship due to a layoff in the energy sector may attend free of charge by stating that they are “a guest of the musicians.” More information about this concert is available on Brightmusic’s website at www.brightmusic.org.

Copyright 2016 The Gayly – October 8, 2016 @ 10:40 a.m.