HOOD RIVER — Combined performances by the Gorge Sinfonietta and the Voci Community choir are always an event. On April 17-19, the two ensembles will come together for a performance called “Roads Not Taken.”
The title comes from a line by Robert Frost, whose poetry is featured in “Frostiana,” a beloved setting of Frost’s poems for choir and orchestra. The 75-voice Voci Choir will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra conducted by director Dan Kenealy. Composed by Randall Thompson in 1959, the composer’s simple and appealing music reflects Frost’s plain but profound choice of words.
The concert also includes Johannes Brahms’ beloved Academic Festival Overture, performed by the Gorge Sinfonietta, directed by retiring conductor Mark Steighner. The Academic Festival Overture is one of Brahms’ most lively and tuneful works, and is partly a tongue-in-cheek setting of several well-known, 19th century University songs.
The finale of the “Roads Not Taken” concert is the premiere of “Requiem in Five Stages” by Mark Steighner and Dennis Castanares. This work combines Latin texts from the traditional Requiem with original poetry and lyrics. Dennis Castanares — known locally as Alanzo Garbanzo — will play the musical role of a Balladeer, singing the Requiem’s more pop/folk style songs for which he wrote the music. Steighner and Castaneres have collaborated on over two dozen songs, most of which are available on Alonzo Garbanzo’s YouTube channel.
Concerts are April 17-18 at 7 p.m. and April 19 at 2 p.m. All three performances are at the Performing Arts Center at Wy’east Middle School. Tickets are on sale now at gorgeorchestra.org.
The Gorge Sinfonietta will conclude its season on June 18-21 with a performance titled “Piano Summit.” The concert includes two virtuoso works for piano, Franz Liszt’s “Totentanz” and Sergie Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme” by Pagannini. Soloists for the concert will be Kathryn Apland and Mitchell Jett Spencer. The concerts will also mark the end of CGOA founder and conductor Mark Steighner’s 20-year tenure with the orchestra.
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