BANGOR — On Sunday, Jan. 30, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra will present a program of late 18th century works by two musical revolutionaries: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his lesser known contemporary of French and African heritage, Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Maine bassoonist Wren Saunders is the featured soloist. The Bangor Symphony’s Music Director and Conductor Lucas Richman leads the program.
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges made waves during his lifetime as a barrier-breaker in multiple fields. Raised in France, he was born in the French colony of Guadeloupe to a wealthy planter and his African slave. A champion fencer and a virtuoso violinist, conductor, and composer, Saint-Georges premiered Haydn’s “Paris” Symphonies and was colonel of the first all-black regiment in Europe in the same lifetime. Many of his compositions have been lost to history, but the BSO will perform his sprightly Symphony No. 2.
Two works by Mozart conclude the program. Principal bassoonist of the BSO Wren Saunders will perform the Concerto for Bassoon in B-flat Major, and Richman will also lead the orchestra in one of Mozart’s last symphonies, his Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major.
Tickets starting at $15 for adults and $10 for students are available online at bangorsymphony.org and by phone at 1-800-622-TIXX. Health and safety requirements can be found at bangorsymphony.org/safety. Masks and proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test are required to attend the concert at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono. This performance will be available to view online starting Feb. 1 at watch.bangorsymphony.org.