Catskill Symphony Orchestra, Voices of Cooperstown Unite

ONEONTA—The Catskill Symphony Orchestra will present “Poetry in Motion,” an evening of classical masterworks, on Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m., featuring a historic first-time collaboration with Voices of Cooperstown. The concert, to be held at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in Oneonta, promises a diverse program spanning three centuries of classical music, under the direction of Artistic Director Glen Cortese.

“We are excited to team with Voices of Cooperstown in this first-time collaboration, welcoming an entirely new ensemble of talent to the CSO stage and building on a new alliance,” noted CSO Chair Sarah Patterson. “This partnership with the recently-revived Cooperstown choral ensemble, under the direction of Brian Reynolds, represents a significant expansion of the orchestra’s collaborative reach within the region.”

The program will open with Fauré’s “Suite from Pelléas et Mélisande,” a work “The Guardian” has praised for its “delicate orchestration and haunting melodic lines.” Originally composed as incidental music for Maurice Maeterlinck’s play, the suite has become one of Fauré’s most performed orchestral works, celebrated for its impressionistic quality and emotional depth, officials said in a media release.

Voices of Cooperstown will join the orchestra for two selections, beginning with Mozart’s “Ave verum corpus.” The short sacred work, composed in the final year of Mozart’s life, was described by musicologist Alfred Einstein as “sublime, yet accessible… perhaps the most perfect piece of music ever written.” Its ethereal qualities and precise craftsmanship will make it an ideal showcase for the combined forces of orchestra and choir.

The collaborative portion will continue with Florence Price’s “Four Songs from the Weary Blues,” featuring texts by Langston Hughes. Price’s work has experienced a remarkable renaissance in recent years, with “The New York Times” noting her “unique voice in American music, combining classical European traditions with the rhythms and sounds of her African-American heritage.”
The marriage of Price’s compositional expertise with Hughes’ powerful poetry will create what “American Record Guide” has called “a masterful fusion of musical and literary artistry.”

The program will conclude with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, the “Pastoral.” The beloved work, described by Leonard Bernstein as “music that paints pictures and tells stories… without losing its pure musical integrity,” will take listeners on a journey through the countryside. Each movement will evoke different aspects of rural life, from peaceful scenes by a brook to a village festival interrupted by a thunderstorm.

“Poetry in Motion” marks a significant milestone for both ensembles and the regional arts community, CSO officials said. The inclusion of Florence Price’s work, in particular, underscores the CSO’s ongoing commitment to programming works by diverse composers. Price broke barriers as the first African-American woman to have her music performed by a major symphony orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, in 1933.

This concert is made particularly accessible to young music enthusiasts through the Wendy Brown Student Ticket Program. Under the initiative, students may attend the performance free of charge, and up to two accompanying parents or guardians may purchase tickets at the significantly reduced price of $10.00 each. Regular admission is $45.00 at the door.

“The Student Ticket Program reflects our dedication to both musical excellence and community engagement,” said Ian Kenyon, CSO vice chair. “By combining these remarkable ensembles and making the concert accessible to students and families, we’re investing in the future of orchestral music in our region.”

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a cash bar, allowing patrons to enjoy refreshments before the 7:30 p.m. performance. The Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, located on Market Street in downtown Oneonta, offers parking nearby and accessibility for all concert-goers.

For more information about the program and purchasing tickets, interested parties can visit www.catskillsymphony.org, e-mail contact@catskillsymphony.org or call the CSO at (607) 269-7501. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Green Toad Bookstore in Oneonta.