For the Love of Nature

We finish our Symphonic Season in grand style with Respighi’s beloved Pines of Rome, a travelogue in sonic Technicolor taking the listener on a journey through the past and present of Rome with depictions of children playing, monks praying, armies marching, and birds chirping.

A concert for nature and classical music lovers! From Duparc’s gentle soothing Aux Etoilles–to the stars–to Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite, a constant of school music listening as well as the template for every film score about the American west. Mysterious Mountain by Hovhaness evokes a zen-like sense of calm. He shared, “mountains are symbols…like pyramids…man’s attempt to know God.” This piece holds the distinction of premiering live on TV with none other than Leopoldo Stokowski conducting.