NEC Philharmonia + David Loebel: Coleman, Schumann, Dvořák

Valerie Coleman | Umoja: Anthem of Unity (2019)

Program note

In its original form, Umoja, the Swahili word for Unity and the first principle of the African Dispora holiday Kwanzaa, was composed as a simple song for women's choir. It embodied a sense of 'tribal unity', through the feel of a drum circle, the sharing of history through traditional “call and response” form and the repetition of a memorable sing-song melody. It was rearranged into woodwind quintet form during the genesis of Coleman’s chamber music ensemble, Imani Winds, with the intent of providing an anthem that celebrated the diverse heritages of the ensemble itself.
     Almost two decades later, the orchestral version brings an expansion and sophistication to the short and sweet melody, beginning with sustained ethereal passages that float and shift from a bowed vibraphone, supporting the introduction of the melody by solo violin. Here the melody is sweetly singing in its simplest form with an earnest reminiscence of Appalachian style music. From there, the melody dances and weaves
throughout the instrument families, interrupted by dissonant viewpoints led by the brass and percussion sections, which represent the clash of injustices, racism and hate that threatens to gain a foothold in the world today. Spiky textures turn into an aggressive exchange between upper woodwinds and percussion, before a return to the melody as a gentle reminder of kindness and humanity. Through the brass led ensemble tutti, the journey ends with a bold call of unity that harkens back to the original anthem.
     Umoja has seen the seen the creation of many versions that are like siblings to one another, similar in many ways but each with a unique voice that is informed by Coleman’s ever-evolving creativity and perspective.
     Umoja: Anthem of Unity was commissioned by The Philadelphia Orchestra who gave the premiere performance in September, 2019.

Robert Schumann | Cello Concerto in A Minor, op. 129

Nicht zu schnell - Langsam - Sehr lebhaft

Jeremy Tai

Cellist Jeremy Tai has been recognized as an emerging artist of fierceenergy, musical sincerity, and dynamic colors. At 24 years of age, hehas performed with the Utah Symphony, the Santa Cruz Symphony, thePeninsula Symphony, Symphony Parnassus in San Francisco, and the PaloAlto Philharmonic Orchestra.
        The recipient of numerous honors and awards, Mr. Tai is the firstprize winner of the Klein International String Competition, NewEngland Conservatory Concerto Competition, Music Teachers NationalAssociation National Strings Competition, and the Mondavi CenterNational Young Artists Competition.
        Mr. Tai is an avid chamber musician, having most recently collaboratedwith the Escher String Quartet at a series of concerts as a part ofMusic in the Vineyards in Napa Valley, California. Additionally, hehas appeared at Sid & Mary Foulger International Music Festival andMusic@Menlo Chamber Music Institute.
        In addition to his prolific classical music career, Mr. Tai is also aversatile crossover artist on social media. With over 5,000,000streams and views across his social media pages, Mr. Tai hascollaborated with some of the biggest names in the classical music andcrossover world, including Blaise Déjardin, Zlatomir Fung, NathanChan, Yeesun Kim, Ken Kubota, Samuel Kim, and Nicholas Yee.     

INTERMISSION

Antonín Dvořák | Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, op. 70

Allegro maestoso
Poco adagio
Scherzo: Vivace
Finale: Allegro
 

Personnel