FRIDAY, MAY 2
7:30PM
RITE OF SPRING
PROGRAM
HECTOR BERLIOZ - Roman Carnival Overture
TAN DUN - Wolf Totem
INTERMISSION
IGOR STRAVINSKY - The Rite of Spring
DURATION
1.5 Hours
VENUE
Singletary Center for the Arts
ABOUT THE MUSIC
LexPhil’s 2024-25 Season finale concert bursts forth into spring with Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture. Due to circumstances beyond LexPhil’s control, Music Director Mélisse Brunet has replaced Cyber Bird Concerto with, Wolf Totem, a bass concerto by Tan Dun, that will feature LexPhil’s Principal Bassist Rachel Martin as soloist. Named for the novel by Jiang Rong, the piece is thematically tied by one Chinese-style melody and inspired by the story of wolves and their importance in the ecosystem.
The concert reaches its climactic finale with Igor Stravinsky’s formidable work, The Rite of Spring, originally a ballet but performed most often as a stand alone orchestral tour de force. Stravinsky’s angular motifs and furious rhythmic writing exemplify the pagan rituals depicted in the ballet. The haunting opening bassoon solo is a foreboding beginning to the tumultuous journey that unfolds. The Rite of Spring is a wildly electric apex to the season that deserves to be experienced.
CONCERT SPONSORS
Paul & Susan Bachner
RACHEL MARTIN, PRINCIPAL BASS
Rachel Martin joined the Lexington Philharmonic as Principal Bass in late 2023. She also frequently performs with the Baltimore Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and the St. Louis Symphony.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Rachel began playing double bass at age 8 and studied privately with Pittsburgh Symphony members Peter Guild and Betsy Heston. Since then, she has earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, studying with Timothy Pitts.
Rachel has spent her summers performing around the world, including Europe, Central America, and East Asia. She has also attended national music programs, including Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Music Academy of the West, and Aspen Music Festival.
In her free time, Rachel is passionate about expanding literature for double bass. She loves composing and performing arrangements for double bass ensembles, finding joy in collaborating with friends.
INSIDE THE SCORE
Join us prior to Rite of Spring for a free pre-concert lecture with Music Director Mélisse Brunet and guest artists for an exclusive, in-depth look Inside the Score! The talk begins at 6:30PM in the Presidents Room prior to the concert. Seating is limited, so arrive early!
Presented by The Glenview Trust Company