Worthington Space Symphony Orchestra presents “Water Music” Nov. 22 – The Globe

WORTHINGTON — Though King Charles III won’t be topped till Could 2023, Worthington space residents can quickly get pleasure from music composed in 1717 on the request of King George I.

Picks from George Frideric Handel’s well-known and beloved “Water Music” suite are options on this system of the Worthington Space Symphony Orchestra (WASO) live performance deliberate for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

In truth, WASO’s leaders borrowed the theme of “Water Music” for your complete live performance.

“Minnesota is a wonderful place, and in the midst of this efficiency we’ll take you to different stunning locations targeted on water,” mentioned Dr. Christopher Stanichar, WASO conductor for the reason that group’s 2010 inception.

The premier of a bit Stanichar composed for WASO in honor of the ensemble’s tenth anniversary (delayed two years as a result of pandemic) will spotlight the night time.

Titled “Minnesota Lakes,” Stanichar calls his composition a “10-minute tone poem and a tribute to one among Minnesota’s most quintessential and iconic components: the lakes that dot so lots of its communities,” he mentioned.

Specifically, Stanichar took inspiration from Lake Okabena.

“The piece is making an attempt to evoke totally different seasonal impressions from my a few years working in Worthington and different components of Minnesota,” mentioned Stanichar. “You may hear the turbulent winds that generally blow throughout Lake Okabena’s floor, and quieter passages signify its calmer, icier winter look.”

Stanichar says each part of the orchestra has its second in “Minnesota Lakes.” Regardless of the

technical challenges he included — for example, one passage requires unusually excessive notes from the trombonists — he’s happy with how the musicians have risen to the event.

“And I’d hope that anybody from any state may have the ability to respect ‘Minnesota Lakes,’ however my inspiration positively got here from Minnesota, and from Lake Okabena.”

WASO flutist and management workforce member Kris Stewart appreciates the sentiment.

“Christopher’s piece is kind of enjoyable, and it’s a delight to play one thing written particularly for a gaggle you’re part of,” mentioned Stewart.

Stewart and her fellow WASO flutists — Aleida Helgeson and Laura Stover — are amongst WASO’s 50 native and regional instrumentalists who will grace the stage of Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Heart on Nov. 22. It’s been a yr since WASO carried out there, since they didn’t have a Could live performance however appeared at Chautauqua Park’s historic bandshell on July 4 as an alternative.

“We’re wanting ahead to being again on the auditorium,” mentioned Stewart.

Along with Stanichar’s “Minnesota Lakes” and Handel’s “Water Music,” live performance attendees can anticipate listening to Bedrich Smetana’s 1874 composition “The Moldau,” a tuneful tribute to the longest river operating by way of the Czech Republic.

“The Moldau, or Vltava, River flows proper by way of Prague, a metropolis that’s so picturesque and effectively preserved,” mentioned Stanichar. “It’s a wonderful river that has significance for the Czechs.”

Stewart mentions it’s her first crack at enjoying a Smetana piece.

“The best way Dr. Stanichar has defined it makes the river come alive,” mentioned Stewart. “I can hear the circulate of the river within the music because it unfolds.”

WASO will even sort out the “Blue Danube” waltz by Johann Strauss, which references one other well-known European river.

“This orchestra hasn’t carried out a Strauss waltz earlier than,” mentioned Stanichar, “and that’s an schooling in itself as a result of there’s a sure fashion to enjoying Strauss waltzes that requires a number of cautious watching and response from the orchestra.

“It’s been train.”

Dancers from Kay Williams Prunty’s The Dance Academy will present visible accompaniment to WASO’s interpretation of choices from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.”

“Individuals will acknowledge the entire themes they’ll hear — they’re very well-known — and we thought it was a pleasant method to embody Tchaikovsky and totally different ballet music, offering a distinction to the ‘Nutcracker,’” Stanichar mentioned.

Capping WASO’s “Water Music” live performance is Dan Goeller’s “Christmas Fantasy,” a carol sing-along that has been a WASO fan favourite for the majority of WASO’s existence.

“That’s at all times enjoyable to place collectively,” mentioned Stanichar, “and audiences have come to count on it as a vacation kickoff annually.”

Stewart and her WASO management workforce cohort (Beth Habicht, Melanie Loy and Karen Pfeifer) are desperate to share with audiences the fruits of their fall rehearsals, which started Sept. 22.

“With Dr. Stanichar’s composition premiering and the acquainted sing-along, we’re juxtaposing the brand new with the outdated and have ready a pleasant number of composers and musical kinds,” Stewart mentioned.

Added Stanichar in reward of WASO, “I get pleasure from making music with this excellent group of individuals.

“I’m a really blessed man.”

The Worthington Space Symphony Orchestra is in live performance at Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Heart, 714 thirteenth St., Worthington, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22. Tickets can be found on the field workplace from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays, by calling 376-9101 or by visiting friendsoftheauditorium.com.