Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 22, 1990 TAG: 9005230486
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
A gazebo on a green lawn where 16 musicians breathe sweet serenades into instruments that send the sounds across a tranquil pond. A swan moving gracefully across the pond, as if in response to the music.
It's the kind of scene that the New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony envisioned for "Summer Serenades at the Gazebo," a concert of music for wind instruments and strings at the Virginia Tech Duck Pond.
The concert, free to the public, will start at 6 p.m. Friday. Those attending are encouraged to bring blankets and a picnic. Gourmet sandwiches and salads ordered before 1 p.m. Friday will be delivered to the site. To place an order, call Sycamore Farms at 951-0826.
"We just hope it doesn't rain," said Fran Carson, treasurer of the friends organization. But if it does, the concert will be moved to the Virginia Tech Rector Fieldhouse.
An ensemble from the Roanoke Symphony will perform Dvorak's Serenade in D minor, Op. 44 for winds, cello and bass and Mozart's "Grand Partita" in B flat.
James Glazebrook, concertmaster of the Roanoke Symphony and conductor of the New River Valley Symphony, will conduct the concert.
"The whole idea of a serenade is that it's something that's to be played outside," Glazebrook said. "In Mozart's time, if you wanted to compliment someone, you hired musicians to come play outside their window."
Glazebrook said he liked the idea of a concert at the Duck Pond from the start. He was impressed with the compatibility of this music and the site.
"The gazebo is the perfect setting for this music," he said. "The view from the hillside looking across the Duck Pond to the golf course is quite beautiful this time of year and the gazebo itself reminds me of an old-fashioned bandstand."
Indeed, serenades in the 18th century were intended for open-air performances at social occasions, not at formal concerts.
In 1781, when Mozart composed his Serenade in B flat - the "Grand Partita" - the word "partita" was understood to signify outdoor music in general.
Described as "the crown of Mozart's open-air wind music," the "Grand Partita" is lauded by critics for its colorful instrumentation.
Dvorak, best known for his symphony "From the New World," composed his Serenade in D minor, Op. 44 in 1878, more than a century after Mozart's "Grand Partita."
Diether Stepphun wrote that Dvorak's serenade shows how the composer's poverty and the death of his two young children left its mark on this work. Stepphun's observation that "the music suggests grief and worries" is revealed in the opening movement, a funeral march with a dark, gloomy character.
While the music selected for this concert has its solemn moments, organizers of the event believe that the overall mood of the audience at the fete will be lighthearted.
"We thought the duck pond would provide a location for a festive occasion," said Gene Carson, president of the New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony. "We wanted to do something different . . . to show people you can enjoy fine music and don't have to be in a black tie at a formal concert hall."
A third of the members of the Roanoke Symphony are from the New River Valley, Carson pointed out. The friends organization was formed nearly two years ago to strengthen the artistic link between the two areas.
"We like to think of the Roanoke Symphony as truly a regional symphony, a part of our community," Carson said.
Glazebrook believes that's an accurate perception.
"In the area of the arts - and particularly in music - the connection between Roanoke and the New River Valley is already working," he said. "Much of the expertise in music that is needed to build something like the symphony is here. We have a strong contribution to make."
Fran Carson, treasurer of the friends organization, says contributions to music in the area come from both performers and supporters.
"We've really had good feedback from the community who want us to strengthen ties with the Roanoke Symphony," she said, noting that the Friends currently receive support from 100 donors.
Gene Carson agreed that patrons have enthusiastically responded to fund-raising efforts. He said Friday's concert is, in part, the organization's way of saying thanks.
"We wanted to show appreciation to our sponsors and expose the community to some fine music," he said. "I hope members of the community will come and enjoy a fun evening with us."
by CNB