Apr 28 Sunday
A German Requiem to Words of the Holy Scriptures, Opus 45 was composed by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) between the years 1865 and 1868. It is Brahms’ longest and grandest musical statement, comprised of seven movements. The work is said to have been inspired by Brahms’ mother’s death in 1865 and perhaps secondarily by the death of his close friend Robert Schumann.
Although the Requiem Mass in the Roman Catholic liturgy begins with prayers for the dead, A German Requiem focuses on the living with the well-known verse from the Beatitudes, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted,” a theme repeated throughout the piece. Almost all the movements connect different Bible verses, and the requiem both begins and ends with the word blessed.The Jefferson Choral Society presents the Iain Farrington arrangement of Brahms’ A German Requiem in English scored for chorus, one baritone and one soprano soloist, plus an eight-piece chamber orchestra.
May 05 Sunday
Blacksburg Community Strings presents their Spring 2024 Concert on Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. at the Warm Hearth Village Center. The program includes Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From The New World” as well as Appalachian Morning by Robert Sheldon and Prairiesong by Carl Strommen. Come and hear music that reflects the land and cultures of America. Admission is free, donations are accepted and appreciated.
May 24 Friday
"One of the most spectacular journeys in recent American music." - The New York Times"One of the most talented and imaginative artists working in music -- any music -- today."- The Los Angeles TimesMark O'Connor began his creative journey at the feet of American fiddling legend Benny Thomasson, and the iconic French jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Today, he has melded these influences into a new American classical music, and is perpetuating his vision of an American School of String Playing. Mr. O’Connor has won three Grammys, seven CMA awards and several national fiddle, guitar and mandolin champion titles. Mr. O’Connor has composed nine concertos and two symphonies recorded by the Baltimore Symphony, London Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony among others. O’Connor is well-known for his chamber music including his million-selling composition “Appalachia Waltz” featuring Yo-Yo Ma for the Sony Classical label. His current album is Life After Life,an Americana music collection of his original songs and some classics he sings with his wife Maggie O’Connor who is featured on lead vocals. In 2023, O’Connor released his memoir, Crossing Bridges: My Journey from Child Prodigy to Fiddler Who Dared the World.Mr. O’Connor has authored a series of educational books called the O’Connor Methodand is now the fastest growing violin method in the country. The O’Connor Method features American music styles, creativity, cultural diversity and western classical technical training. For more information, visit www.markoconnor.com.American violinist/fiddler and vocalist, Maggie O'Connor performs a variety of musical styles throughout the U.S. and beyond, most recently as a member of the Grammy award-winning bluegrass group, the O'Connor Band. She spends most of her time now performing with her husband, violinist and composer Mark O'Connor. Together they have appeared as guest soloists with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, the Santa Rosa Symphony, the Nashville Symphony, and appeared in violin duo performances in such prestigious settings as the Yehudi Menuhin Centennial celebration at the Berlin Konzerthaus, the Lockenhaus, Austria Musikfest, and the Leopold Auer Festival in Hungary. In an Americana duo setting, the couple tours music from their new album, Life After Life, a collection of original songs and classics. Along with performing, Maggie continues to work as co-director with Mr. O’Connor at O'Connor Method String Campcurrently taking place in Charlotte, NC featuring the lesson book series that is rising in popularity each year.