The Power of the Muse

The Power of the Muse

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 | 7:30pm

School for Creative & Performing Arts Corbett Theatre, DOWNTOWN
108 W Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Prelude Talk: 6:45pm | SCPA Mayerson Theater

Preconcert Display: 6:45pm | Lobby | Artists from the Art Academy of Cincinnati

Eckart Preu, conductor

Vijay Venkatesh, piano

Victoria Okafor, soprano

LILI BOULANGER: D’un Matin de Printemps (CCO Premiere)

CLARA SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 7 (CCO Premiere)
I. Allegro maestoso
II. Romanze: Andante non troppo con grazia
III. Finale: Allegro non troppo – Allegro molto

GUSTAV MAHLER, arr. KLAUS SIMON: Symphony No. 4 in G Major (CCO Premiere)
I. Bedächtig. Nicht eilen
II. In gemächlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast
III. Ruhevoll 
IV. Sehr behaglich (“Wir genießen die himmlischen Freuden”)

Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission

Wine will be available for purchase

“Power of the Muse” celebrates figures who inspire composers to create masterworks. Lili Boulanger was an extraordinary French musical prodigy. Inspired by Fauré and Debussy she developed a compelling musical language that is entirely her own. Her D’un Matin de Printemps (“Of a Spring Morning”) creates an impressionistic sound world that is full of vibrant energy and delicacy. Even before her untimely death at age 24, Boulanger succeeded in being the first woman to win the Rome Prize – the most coveted composition prize of the time – making her an inspiration for all female composers to come.

The brilliant Clara Schumann – the muse for her husband Robert, and Johannes Brahms – was recognized as one of the most important pianists of her time. Yet her accomplishments as a composer are still to be rediscovered. Award-winning pianist Vijay Venkatesh is the soloist in her dazzling piano concerto. She was only sixteen years old when she composed this concerto as a showcase for herself: bold, passionate, and imaginative.

Full of passion and joy of life, Alma Mahler was a prolific composer and musician. Yet she had no support in being a creative, independent woman in Vienna. Instead, she is remembered as a muse, supporter, and lover to brilliant, creative men – like her husband Gustav. Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 is full of light and love. It describes a bright cheerfulness reflective of the unearthly joy of heavenly life. “Silver-voiced soprano” Victoria Okafor will join the CCO in this inspired symphonic masterpiece.