|
We'll feature three exciting young soloists on our New Year's Eve concert this year -- the soprano Jodi Burns, Corey Dundee on tenor saxophone and cellist Alan Toda-Ambaras. I asked Corey to tell me about how he is preparing for this concert and what it means to him to be performing with the North Carolina Symphony. Here's what he had to say:
"Peck wrote that The Upward Stream (1985) has "a programmatic connection with the idea of going against the current - of seeking to overcome the mundane and explore moments of inspiration and significance in the enjoyable triumph of life." The piece is absolutely a blast to perform, and it really does demonstrate a departure from the classical norm with its syncopated rhythms, jazzy chords and use of altissimo (very high notes) on the saxophone. I have basically been preparing for this concert since I began learning The Upward Stream in my junior year of high school, but having progressed musically over the years, there are more and more things that I realize I could be doing with the piece. In the weeks before the New Years Eve Extravaganza concert with the North Carolina Symphony, I'll be working on bringing out the many nuances of Russell Peck's writing, with the hopes of making my next performance of the piece that much more special. I cannot wait to work and perform with Grant Llewellyn and the members of the North Carolina Symphony, as I have enjoyed some very excellent performances of theirs in the past - I expect no less on New Years Eve!"
|