The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Bruce Briney, presents American Horizons at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12 in Quincy Junior High’s Morrison Theater.
American Horizons is a salute to American composers, including regional composers Jeremy Beck, James Romig, and Randall Faust, and the incomparable Aaron Copland.
Music by Copland includes selections from The Tender Land Suite accented with gorgeous photos from Quincy’s Toni Taylor/Tiger Imagery. The Tender Land tells the story of a Midwest farm family with “The Love Duet,” the lively “Square Dance,” and the stirring and beautiful “The Promise of Living.” Photographer Toni Taylor captures Midwest life with an insightful eye that captures fleeting moments with authenticity. The Quincy Symphony Orchestra will merge Taylor’s art with Copland’s music to create a one-of-a-kind concert experience.
Selections from Copland’s Rodeo will also be performed. Rodeo presents a rich tapestry of American folk-inspired melodies and rhythms, encapsulating the spirit of the American West. The most famous of these is Hoe-Down. Its use in the “Beef—It’s What’s for Dinner” advertising campaign makes this tune instantly recognizable with an energetic and distinctly American flavor.
St. Louis Symphony Associate Principal Horn Thomas Jöstlein performs Faust’s Concerto for Horn, newly re-scored for horn and orchestra. Jöstlein has been a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) since 2010 and previously held positions with the New York Philharmonic, and the Honolulu, Kansas City, Omaha and Richmond symphonies.
He is particularly thrilled to perform this concerto by his former teacher Randall Faust under the direction of his former Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra brass quintet coach, Bruce Briney.
Beck’s Majestic River was composed for the QSO’s 60th Anniversary celebration in 2007. It is a piece both celebratory and reflective. The music’s dual characteristics also suggested imagery of Quincy’s beneficent and powerful neighbor: the Mississippi River. Throughout there are numerous meter changes, giving a fluidity to the entire composition, recalling the Majestic River, the Mississippi, as it glides along, even occasionally turbulent.
Just as in 2007, the QSO today continues the commitment to the production of new music with the premiere of a new commission by James Romig, Western Illinois University. Resolve embodies the musical technique of suspension and resolution where a momentary harmonic dissonance eventually gives way to a satisfying cohesion.
The QSOA’s season artist, Caroline Goldsmith, will exhibit and sell her work at the concert. Goldsmith’s “Big Bay (Wisconsin) Lagoon Vista” graces the QSOA’s season programs while “Golden Tunnel” was used for the season brochures.
Single tickets for American Horizons are $15 for seniors 62 and older and $18 for other adults. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance from Quincy HyVee stores, Sturhahn Jewelers, and at QSOA.org. Thanks to support from the Tracy Family Foundation, children 18 and under are admitted free to all concerts and are encouraged to attend.
The Concert Sponsor is Mercantile Bank; O’Connor Financial Group is the Guest Artist Sponsor; WGEM-TV is the Media Sponsor and Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell are Music Sponsors. All concerts of the 2024-25 QSOA Season are sponsored by Quincy Recycle, The Knapheide Manufacturing Company, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Tracy Family Foundation, the Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., trustee, and the Anonymous Fund of the Community Foundation.
Information is available at www.qsoa.org or by calling 217-222-2856.
