The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents: Simone Porter Plays Philip Glass

Performance Dates/Times:

Saturday, February 22, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 23, 2025 3:00 PM

Simone Porter, violin
Geoffrey Robson, conductor

YOUR PROGRAM EXPERIENCE

Valerie Coleman - Umoja: Anthem of Unity
The Experience: delightful, empowering, vibrant
"Umoja," meaning unity in Swahili and the first principle of Kwanzaa, was originally composed as a simple song for a women's choir. It conveys a sense of tribal unity through a drum circle feel, traditional call-and-response, and a memorable, repetitive melody. It was rearranged into a woodwind quintet (then for orchestra in 2020) for Coleman's GRAMMY-award-winning group, Imani Winds, to serve as an anthem celebrating the ensemble's diverse heritages.

Philip Glass - Violin Concerto No. 1
The Experience: transcendent, ethereal, powerful
Philip Glass's Violin Concerto No. 1, composed in 1987, is a key work of minimalist music. It uses repeating patterns to create a hypnotic and meditative feel. The solo violin is challenging and beautiful, blending smoothly with the orchestra. This three-movement piece showcases Glass's skill in combining rhythm and emotion for a captivating experience.

Jean Sibelius - Symphony No. 1 in E Minor
The Experience: captivating, timeless, elegant
Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, written in 1899, is a powerful expression of Finnish national identity. It begins with a dramatic and somber introduction, followed by lively and spirited themes that evoke the beauty of the Finnish landscape.