The major orchestra concerts for the 23rd season of the Hot Springs Music Festival, June 3-16, are designed to appeal to all ages and presented in ways to enhance the live concert experience.
All of the concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Oaklawn Magnet School.
Music director Peter Bay and 2018 principal conductor Stefan Sanders have selected the following for the three orchestra concerts:
• June 7 -- "Star Wars" main theme and "Cantina Band" by John Williams, followed by "The Planets" by Gustav Holst, with large-screen images. In between the movements, Sanders will provide commentary in the manner of the late conductor Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts. "This year makes the 100th anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein," said Lynn Payette, executive director of the Hot Springs Music Festival, "and his music will be featured in both our orchestra and chamber concerts."
• June 12 -- Audiences will be treated to a night at the movies, enjoying themes from "Around the World in 80 Days" by Victor Young; "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by John Williams; "The Godfather" by Nino Rota; "Hymn to the Fallen" from "Saving Private Ryan," featuring the Hot Springs Music Festival Chorus and members of The Village Chorale, also by John Williams; and "Symphonic Dances" from "West Side Story" by Bernstein. Payette indicated that "the audience survey cards we distribute at each concert have consistently requested the music of John Williams be performed at some point and we want to assure our faithful supporters that we do all we can to honor such requests, when possible."
• June 16 -- The finale concert will consist of a clarinet concerto and the epic Symphony No 1 by Gustav Mahler. "The Mahler is a fitting conclusion to what we hope will be a season that will be as enjoyable as it is inspiring," Payette added.
Visit http://www.hotmusic.org, call the festival office at 501-623-4763, or email [email protected] for more information or to secure festival passes.
Entertainment on 04/20/2018