It’s big. It’s very, very big. When the Bangor Symphony Orchestra performs Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, known as the “Titan,” it’ll be among the largest ensembles the BSO has hosted on the Collins Center for the Arts stage in some time. Around 75 musicians will perform this huge — yes, titanic — work this Sunday, Jan. 24.
After all, Mahler — judged by 21st century ears as the bridge between 19th century classical music and 20th century modernism — is known for the huge number of musicians used in his symphonies, as well as their length and denseness. It will serve as a rich counterpoint to the rest of the programming conductor and music director Lucas Richman has planned for the concert, including Wagner’s Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin, Hummel’s Concerto for Trumpet in E major, and a world premiere of a new work by Richman himself.
Hummel’s Concerto for Trumpet in E minor will feature soloist George Vosburgh, principal trumpet for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Vosburgh is a celebrated soloist and lecturer, internationally acclaimed for his virtuosity on the trumpet in recordings, concerts and recitals, and teaches at Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University.
Finally, Richman’s latest world premiere composition will be performed Sunday. It is titled “Until the Circle is Unbroken,” and as in previous years, it was created by Richman for a long time Symphony patron — in this instance, it was commissioned by former BSO board president Joyce Clark Sarnacki, to honor the six children of Pete and Diane Clark, her parents. Richman’s premiere was created with the intent to musically capture the bond and celebrate the love between siblings. The concept for creating this new symphonic work follows the evolution of a simple five-note motive (“DIANE” translated to the musical pitches D-B-A-G-E) into the classical format of theme and variations. The theme represents the matriarch, with the subsequent six variations capturing certain qualities of each of the six children, resulting in a final celebratory coda.
Tickets for the Jan. 24 concert, set for 3 p.m. at the Collins Center for the Arts, are available by calling 581-1755, or visiting collinscenterforthearts.com. For more information, visit bangorsymphony.org.
