Symphony, Choral Union to go British

Music with a British accent will be presented tonight when the Southeast Missouri, Symphony Orchestra, the Choral Union and the University Chorus perform a concert titled "From the British Isles."

The program includes symphonic works by English composers Keith Amos and Vaughan Williams and will conclude with London-born John Rutter's choral masterpiece "Requiem."

Paul Thompson, husband of symphony director Dr. Sara Edgerton, will conduct Amos' "Three Harbour Sketches."

Thompson was born and grew up in Great Britain and is an old friend of Amos from their days in London. Thompson played first flute in the world premiere of "Three Harbour Sketches."

Memorable work

Though Amos is a prolific composer, this is the work Thompson thought of when searching for something to add to the British program.

"It's that memorable. It says something that it stuck in my mind after all these years," says the Southeast instructor of music.

The composer conceived "Three Harbour Sketches" as a symphonic work, but it has been popularized by bands. This will be the symphonic version of the work's American premiere.

Edgerton will take the baton for Williams' pastoral "The Lark Ascending," which will spotlight violinist Dr. Ronald Francois in the role of "the lark."

Francois' part includes many runs and cascades, while the orchestra represents the forest. "It has a soft, lush sound," Edgerton said. "It's a beautiful piece."

"The Lark Ascending" was inspired by a poem.

By his death in 1958, Williams had written six symphonies along with operas, ballets, film music, chamber music and hymns.

Rutter, one of the world's most renowned composers of choral music, wrote his "Requiem" in 1985 and his "Magnificat" in 1990. The Choral Union and University Chorus performed the "Magnificat" in 1994.

Fitting piece

Performing the "Requiem" became all the more fitting for the Choral Union after the death of Bethani Vandeven, a 21-year-old honor student, in a car accident earlier this month. Vandeven had been a member of the Choral Union for three years.

"You sing pieces and might not think much about them, then all of a sudden something happens and guess what," says Dr. John Egbert, who will conduct. "It goes beyond being music then. It becomes a personal experience for them."

Rutter's "Requiem," which includes both Latin and English texts, at times simultaneously, works on two spiritual planes, says Egbert.

At once the Mass pleads for the deliverance of humanity and more immediately for the deliverance of the soul of someone who has died, Egbert says.

Rutter's work is known for beautiful melodies. "Requiem" is filled with them.

Lori Shaffer, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Music, will be the soloist for "Requiem."

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182