Moravec: Fresh, Modern and Sophisticated

 

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Richard McKay, Dallas Chamber Symphony artistic director

Paul Moravec’s Chamber Symphony has a fresh, modern sound and sophisticated pacing.” As the Dallas Chamber Symphony’s February 16 concert approaches, Richard McKay — the ensemble’s artistic director –- reflects on programming Moravec’s work for the performance.

As any artistic director will say, it takes time and planning to find the right music to create Moravec Cham Sym Dallas Sym logo 2 editan interesting and engaging concert. McKay concurs. “I first discovered Paul’s repertoire as it was listed in Dirk Meyer’s reference Chamber Orchestra and Ensemble Repertoire: A Catalog of Modern Music. I emailed Paul directly to ask about the chamber version of his Northern Lights Electric. He told me he had withdrawn that version and re-orchestrated it for full orchestra. Since it was no longer available, Paul suggested I look at some of his other smaller works, at which time I discovered the Chamber Symphony.

Moravec Chamb Sym score“First, I listened to a recording, and then studied a perusal score; and, what initially struck me was the energy of the piece. Its mood is joyful and uplifting, and its language completely accessible to any concert audience. The piece also offers a fun and welcome challenge to our musicians, with its fearsome parts for piano and marimba, which I am sure our players will enjoy. This is exactly the kind of music that chamber ensembles should be performing today — an opportunity for musicians and audiences alike.”

More February news: on the 27th, the Garth Newel Piano Quartet performs Moravec’s Piano Quartet, which they commissioned and premiered in 2012.