Photograph courtesy of the Bach Society of St. Louis
Autumn and winter are periods of transition into a new year and a new cycle of life, but are also a time to pay tribute to what has already gone before. Is it any wonder that so many of our spiritual traditions—particularly Judaism, but most of the major religions as well—celebrate important holidays at this time? Curiously, both Hinduism and Judaism observe a festival of lights during fall and early winter (Diwali and Hanukkah), and Christians commemorate the birth of their leader, whose advent was announced by the light of a star.
The transition of 2010 into 2011 holds particular significance in music. As previously noted here, 2010 marks the bicentennial of the births of Robert Schumann and Frederic Chopin, as well as the centennial of the birth of Samuel Barber. Franz Liszt joined this august group in 1811, and Gustav Mahler, unable to avoid his premonitions, died in 1911.
As we reflect on our spritual and cultural traditions at this time of year, we need to remember just how much these great composers contributed to our musical traditions. Schumann, Chopin and Liszt all helped establish the pillars of Romanticism, whose philosophy of individualism, introspection and heroism continues to influence music of all styles today. All were brilliant pianists as well as composers, and their work led the way for the proliferation of keyboard music. Schumann's wife Clara, a composer in her own right and a renowned concert pianist, played no small role herself. Samuel Barber is arguably the heir and torchbearer of the Romantic period, and there are those who would regard Mahler as the apotheosis of Romanticism. The spirit of these creative geniuses continues to permeate our music today (some films have lifted their themes outright), and so, too, does all the music of this season recall the past as it looks to the horizon of the future.
The ubiquitous and ever-popular Nutcracker appears in many guises this year. Following the run at the Fox, presented by the Joffrey Ballet on December 2-5, the St. Louis Ballet mounts its own production at the Touhill Center December 16-23. The Imaginary Theatre Company, an arm of the Rep designed for younger audiences, presents its own version of E.T.A. Hoffmann's story on December 18, 20 and 21 at the Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall, but this time as a play adapted by Sarah Brandt, with newly composed music by Neal Richardson. There is also a new film version of the Nutcracker this season, with a limited run in the U.S., that incorporates narration and dialogue, and even sets words to Tchaikovsky's score!
It would be impossible to do justice to all the musical traditions that are celebrated every holiday seaon in St. Louis, but we should note two here. Each year the Cathedral Basilica hosts a stirring Christmas Concert, scheduled for December 3 and 5 this year. Old and new selections are featured, but this year marks the career transition of organist John Romeri to a new post in Philadelphia. Later in the month, on December 21, the Bach Society presents its annual Candlelight Concert at Powell Hall. A highlight of the performance will be the voice of Christine Brewer, who joins forces with the chorus, orchestra and children's chorale, all under the leadership of music director A. Dennis Sparger.
Whether you enjoy music in large or small venues—the glory of an immense orchestra, chorus and pipe organ, or perhaps just singing carols or Hanukkah songs with small groups of family and friends—this is a good time of year to pause and think about the profound impact of music. It binds the threads of our history, while at the same time it spins the fibers of our future, and enfolds our present.
Gary Scott blogs about music, education and life in general at scottmind.blogspot.com.
