(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Sunday, March 18 at 4:00pm, cellist and composer Joshua Roman performs his 2015 work Awakening with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) under the baton of guest conductor Teddy Abrams. Joan Tower’s Made in America is also on the program, performed as part of the Princeton Migrations project spearheaded by the Princeton University Art Museum. Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 “Pastoral” completes the program.
Patrons have the opportunity to listen to Mr. Abrams and Mr. Roman discuss the music and their collaboration at the 3:00pm Pre-Concert Talk. The concert takes place at Richardson Auditorium on the campus of Princeton University with a reception at the Princeton University Art Museum immediately following.
Teddy Abrams is the widely-acclaimed music director of the Louisville Orchestra and music director and conductor of the Britt Orchestra, as well as an established pianist, clarinetist, and composer. His 2017-18 season includes debuts with the Los Angeles, Malaysian, and Rhode Island Philharmonics; the Milwaukee, Fort Worth, Princeton, and Omaha Symphonies; and The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
“A cellist of extraordinary technical and musical gifts” (San Francisco Chronicle), soloist/composer Joshua Roman has earned an international reputation for his wide-ranging repertoire, a commitment to communicating the essence of music in visionary ways, artistic leadership, and versatility. In addition to being a celebrated performer, he is recognized as an accomplished composer and curator, and was named a TED Senior Fellow in 2015.
Mr. Roman’s Awakening is a five-movement composition for solo cello and chamber orchestra which loosely evokes a love affair and its aftermath. Joan Tower’s Made in America, written years after coming of age as an American expat in Bolivia, takes for its theme the melody of “America the Beautiful.” Both composers were influenced by Beethoven, whose “Pastoral” Symphony introduced innovations to symphonic form such as a fifth movement, sounds from nature including birdsong and thunder, and a traditional country-dance.
Tickets for the Princeton Symphony Orchestra Beethoven “Pastoral” concert are on sale starting at $35. Pricing includes admission to the 3:00pm Pre-Concert Talk and post-concert reception. Purchase at www.princetonsymphony.org or call 609 497-0020.
Photo of Joshua Roman by Hayley Young
