Hodgson Wind Ensemble to perform ‘epic’ concert for Second Thursday series

In both theme and sound, the audience attending the next performance in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s Second Thursday Scholarship Series will experience an evening of epic proportions. 

The Hodgson Wind Ensemble (HWE) takes to the Hodgson Concert Hall stage on Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. for the November edition of the School of Music's popular concert series. 

The performance comprises two pieces: David Maslanka’s Symphony No. 8 and Oliver Waespi’s “Audivi Media Nocte.”

Maslanka, an American composer born in 1943, is known for powerful, grand compositions, but his Symphony No. 8 stands out even among those.

“His large-scale works reflect his strong connection to nature and its power to heal, but the 8th Symphony goes deeper,” said Cynthia Johnston Turner, HWE director and director of bands at the School of Music. 

“This is a musical celebration of life: new life, connectivity from the past to the future, great hope, great faith, joy, vision and fierce determination.”

“Audivi Media Nocte,” which translates to “I heard, at midnight,” was written by Swiss composer Oliver Waespi as “a kind of concerto grosso for groups of soloists, but in highly unusual instrumentations,” according to Johnston Turner. It, like Maslanka’s piece, digs deep into the existential.

“This piece also explores a deep connection between the past (inspired by Thomas Tallis’ motet of the same name) and the present,” said Johnston Turner. “It is a musical tale that oscillates between contemplation and frivolity, between deep prayer and absolute rave.”

In dealing with topics of such gravity, it might be easy to approach them in too high-minded a way, to make the works inaccessible, but Johnston Turner thinks that doesn’t happen with Maslanka and Waespi because of the commonality of the subject matter and the musical structures.

“Both works, in my view, touch the listener in deeply emotional and moving ways,” said Johnston Turner. “Perhaps because both composers use familiar hymns and tunes to which we all, regardless of our faith, can connect.”

This performance is a part of UGA’s Spotlight on the Arts festival, the University’s annual celebration of the arts, which encompasses an array of visual, literary and performing arts events from Nov. 5-14.

 

The Second Thursday Scholarship Series began in 1980 and continues the tradition of “Music Appreciation Programs” started by Hugh Hodgson in the 1930s. Proceeds from contributions and ticket sales to these concerts are among the primary means through which School of Music scholarship funds are raised each year.

Tickets are $18 each or $5 with a UGA student ID and are available at the Performing Arts Center box office, by calling 706-542-4400 or by visiting pac.uga.edu.

 

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music sponsors more than 350 concerts each year. To view the performance calendar, subscribe to the weekly email concert listing or learn more about the School of Music, go to music.uga.edu.