Friday, Saturday, February 14, 15, 4pm
St. Paul's Church, Cardo 6
$200, $400, $500

Dorian Wind Quintet, Pro Musica

Dear Music Lovers,

The extraordinary Dorian Wind Quintet, formed at Tanglewood in 1961, is known as the longest running chamber music quintet in the world. And the world, literally, has been their stage, having performed extensively throughout The US, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa and Asia. Time magazine calls them “One of chamber music’s most sparkling and eloquent ensembles” and they have graced many of the world’s renowned concert halls with their legendary performances. With each member highly regarded and associated with other prominent performing ensembles, they made history together as the first wind quintet to perform at Carnegie Hall.

With their concerts described as “Chamber music as it’s meant to be” by the Los Angeles Times, the group is united in its passion for the wind chamber music repertoire and they have commissioned over 40 works from 20th and 21st century artists, with their commission from composer George Perle winning the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1986.

Friday’s concert begins with Bach’s Little Fugue. Composed for organ, it is one of his most recognizable melodies and reminiscent of the textures and techniques of the Renaissance. Next we have Samuel Barber’s Summer Music, utilizing each wind instrument of the quintet, the single movement piece taking us from the lyrical to the energetic. We will also hear Mozart’s Serenade in B Flat Major, featured in the 1984 film Amadeus, where Mozart is first encountered by Salieri performing the piece. This wind ensemble is considered Mozart’s most ambitious and technically complex serenade and you will delight in its glorious and sublime textures.

After intermission, we hear Gabriel Faure’s Songs; a collection which offers a celebration of the composer’s most important and moving themes that range from the delicate to unsettling darkness. We end the evening with Bach’s Dance Suite from his Goldberg Variations. Originally composed as an aria for harpsichord, the elegant serenity will have you holding your breath.

Saturday’s concert begins with contemporary American composer, Lee Hoiby’s Diversions, commissioned by the Dorian, which showcases his lyrical voice. We change to Latin rhythms with Astor Piazzolla’s Cafe 1930 and his Tango Compositions, with their sweetly melancholic and romantic overtones.

We will also hear Amanda Harberg's Suite For Wind Quintet, commissioned by the Dorian, which takes its concept from Renaissance and Baroque-inspired dance suites where a soul -enhancing melody recurs dreamily throughout its four movements. After intermission we have Carlo Gesualdo’s Lo Parto, a Renaissance work, originally composed as a five voice madrigal, evoking a poetic and poignant spirit.

We end the evening with Dvorak’s stunning String Quartet arranged for winds by Dorian’s horn player, Karl Kramer-Johansen.This masterwork of lush melodies and allusions to folk music receives a fresh and vibrant expression within the wind setting.

Please note that both of these concerts are at 4pm. Tickets for the concerts at St. Paul’s are $200, $400 and $500 pesos donation each, and are on sale at the Bookshop in the Biblioteca Pública; through our website with no booking fee, and at the concert 45 minutes before performance time.

Details of all Pro Musica’s concerts and Patron Membership are on our website, www.promusicasma.org, or contact us at promusicasma@aol.com.

Sincerely, Michael Pearl, President, Pro Musica

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