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ANNOUNCING COMPANY PREMIERE AND LIVE RECORDING OF

BEETHOVEN IX
Anthem to Humanity
Friday, April 25 at 8:00 PM
Kimmel Center - Perelman Theater
 
Ama Deus Ensemble
Valentin Radu Conductor
Soloists: Tatyana Galitskaya, Tatyana Rashkovsky, Kenneth Garner, Ed Bara
 
$20-$50
 
 
In This Issue:
Notes from Maestro
Welcome Contrabassoon
New Season Highlights

Notes from Maestro Valentin RaduN

 Valentin Radu conducting. 11-07                                                       
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 is, without doubt, one of the most important works of Western classic repertoire.  For me it represents the most amazing combinations of musical achievement and a very strong humanitarian message of Peace.  The antagonism of the orchestral parts reflects very different moods of human beings: from happiness and joy to introspection, thoughfulness and humble meditation.       
 
All the themes are so singable, being inspired by German folk songs.  I am fascinated at how some of the themes are passed from strings to winds and brass.  The addition of voices in the final "Ode to Joy" is a natural conclusion of what the instruments have already narrated. 
 

As always, we keep true to our mission of authentic performance and present to our audience a stylistic replica of the Beethoven piece in its most original rendition.  The composition of the Ama Deus Ensemble orchestra (41 piece) and chorus (52 voices) will support the traditional Viennese classical performance style.  As a result, you will hear a much different sound, far from the grandiose versions of modern symphonic orchestras which tend to romanticize this work and to which the Philadelphia audiences are so accustomed nowadays.

The Ama Deus Ensemble will also perform a very rarely heard work by Chorus membersBeethoven, Die Ruinen von Athen (The Ruins of Athens),  a set of incidental music for orchestra and chorus, written in 1811 to accompany the play of the same name by August von Kitzebue. Everyone remembers its most famous movement, the Turkish March, often performed as an independent concert piece.  

The April 25 performance is being recorded live for a commercial release on the Lyrichord label (producer John Ostendorf). 
 
We hope you join us for this very special event!
 
Buy Tickets Today: $20-$50.  In person at the Kimmel Center Box Office, by phone 215.893.1999, safely online.  Information and directions.

Our Orchestra Welcomes Contrabassoon!

For the first time in its 21 year history, the Ama Deus Ensemble will showcase contrabassoon  Michael Pedrazzini and his contrabassoon(click for sound sample) in the Beethoven Ninth orchestra. 
 

Michael Pedrazzini (on photo) has been an active performer on both bassoon and contrabassoon in the tri-state area for nearly 20 years.  He presently plays regularly with many of the region's ensembles, including the Delaware and Reading Symphony Orchestras, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

 
By Michael Pedrazzini, Contrabassoon:
 
I am very fortunate to be playing a wonderful vintage contrabassoon that has several unusual features. It was built around 1930-32 at the Wilhelm Heckel factory in Wiesbaden, Germany, although the wood used in its construction began the long process of seasoning about a decade before then.  To anyone who has seen a contra before, this one may look exceptionally tall: it stands at nearly 6 feet!  Unlike the more common "opera" model, which has its bends positioned to make the instrument more compact, this one has a longer run before the final "U" that gives it the extra height.  In addition, while most contras only descend to a low B-flat, this one goes down a half step further, to A, the same key as the bottom note on the piano.  In that register, it translates to nearly 2 feet of extra "plumbing"!
 
The Contrabassoon is designed to use the same fingerings as the bassoon for much of its range, and the reeds are basically a larger version of those for bassoon.  The greatest difference is in how composers write for the instrument in an orchestral setting and what that means for me as a performer.  While I do add the bottom octave to some woodwind passages in the Ninth Symphony, I am as likely to be playing with the double basses as the bassoons.  I enjoy the challenge of having to blend with radically different sections, often independent of what the rest of the woodwind section is doing.  Though the true solos like in Ravel's Mother Goose are rare, I have come to appreciate the little moments where the contrabassoon does make a difference, even it it isn't likely to result in a solo bow.  And there's nothing quite like the reaction at a children's concert when I get to do my demonstration!

Announcing the 2008-2009 Concert Season XXII* We will honor the music of G.F. Handel in three events to mark the 250th anniversary of his death 

Sunday, September 21 at 4:00 PM

Jenkins Arboretum, Devon, PA

Vox Renaissance Consort

 

Sunday, October 5 at 6:00 PM

Daylesford Abbey, Paoli, PA

Bach Orgelfest

Valentin Radu and Guests

 

Sunday, October 26, at 5:00 PM

Gladwyne Presbyterian Church

Camerata Ama Deus

 

Friday, November 14 at 8:00 PM

Kimmel Center - Perelman Theater

Beethoven: Missa Solemnis

Ama Deus Ensemble

 

Friday, December 12 at 7:00 PM

Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia

Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 PM

Daylesford Abbey, Paoli, PA

Handel Messiah

Ama Deus Ensemble

 

Saturday, December 20 at 8:00 PM

Arcadia University, Glenside, PA

Sunday, December 21, at 5:00 PM

St. Katharine of Sienna Church, Wayne, PA

A Renaissance Noel

Vox Renaissance Consort

 

 Sunday, February 8 at 6:00 PM

Daylesford Abbey, Paoli PA

Candlemas Concert

Camerata Ama Deus

 

Friday, February  27 at 8:00 PM

Kimmel Center - Perelman Theater

Handel: Judas Maccabeus

Ama Deus Ensemble

 

Sunday, March 22 at 5:00 PM

Gladwyne Presbyterian Church

Bach Birthday Gala

Valentin Radu and Guests

 

Friday, March 27 at 8:00 PM

Kimmel Center - Perelman Theater

Sunday March 29 at 6:00 PM

Daylesford Abbey, Paoli, PA

Mozart: Requiem

Ama Deus Ensemble

 

Friday, April 17 at 8:00 PM

Kimmel Center - Perelman Theater

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

Camerata Ama Deus

 

Sunday, May 31 at  6:00 PM

Daylesford Abbey, Paoli PA

HandelFest

Ama Deus Ensemble

 
*Program subject to change
 
We look forward to seeing you at our concerts!
Your Friends in Music,
VOX AMA DEUS
Bringing to life the vocal and instrumental masterworks of the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical music periods, through authentic performance and education...for over 20 years!