The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association
ROMANTIC MUSIC is a style of music popular with composers during the 19th century. Romantic music is not just about love, but it IS full of emotion and often tells stories through sound. A lot of Romantic music for orchestra is colorful and very powerful. By the way, the traditions and styles of Romantic music are still being used today by film and videogame composers. If you love the music for Star Wars, for instance, you’ll love Romantic music!
CLICK ON EACH TITLE FOR A YOUTUBE PREVIEW
THE PROGRAM
Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov:
Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) was a Russian composer known for writing especially colorful and exotic sounding music. SCHEHERAZADE (1888) is a tone poem (music that tells a story) based on Arabian Nights. We’re playing the first movement, THE SEA AND SINBAD’S SHIP.
Sir Edward Elgar:
Edward Elgar (1857-1934) looks like a stuffy English gentleman, but his music is full of melody and emotion. Salut d’Amour is a beautiful, simple love song. Dancers from the COLUMBIA GORGE DANCE ACADEMY will join the orchestra on stage.
Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner (1813-1883) thought BIG in his music. Some of his music dramas are several hours long. SIEGFRIED’S RHINE JOURNEY is the musical story of a warrior hero setting off on an adventure. Wagner’s musical style has been copied by movie composers like John Williams.
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian composer and piano virtuoso. He wrote four concertos for piano. The second concerto has been called “the most romantic concerto ever written.” (It’s also one of the most difficult!) It has lots of famous melodies – some of them were turned into modern pop songs. We’re joined by the fantastic pianist MITCHELL JETT SPENCER.
