Edward Elgar’s Variations on an Original Theme, “one of the greatest English orchestral compositions, headlines the Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s Nov. 5 and 6 program” led by Music Director Diane Wittry, writes Steve Siegel in Saturday’s (10/29) Morning Call (Allentown, PA). “The world premiere of ‘Variations on a Theme by Elgar,’ which will precede Elgar’s work on the program … consists of variations on Elgar’s theme by four composers, ages 12 years old to adult, reflecting the personality of a friend or acquaintance, just as Elgar did…. ‘Variations on a Theme by Elgar’ is the outcome of the Allentown Symphony Association’s Composer Competition held earlier this year…. Submissions were judged in a blind process by a panel consisting of Wittry, Lafayette College assistant professor of music Kirk O’Riordan, and Larry Lipkis, composer-in-residence at Moravian College. The winning variations were merged into a larger work assembled by Lipkis…. Stay tuned for a similar project as part of the ASO’s 2017-2018 classical season. The orchestra’s performance of Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ will be accompanied by a set of musical impressions by local composers on paintings exhibited at the Allentown Art Museum. The format will be similar to the Elgar Composition project.”
Posted November 4, 2016
