Jan Kraybill

[from the KC Symphony website:]

Michael Stern, conductor

Yo-Yo Ma, cello

ELGAR Enigma Variations

JOEL THOMPSON breathe/burn: an elegy for solo cello and orchestra

SHOSTAKOVICH Cello Concerto in E-flat Major

In a career spanning four decades, internationally revered cellist Yo-Yo Ma has dazzled the world as both a musician and a champion for culture's impact on humanity. For one night only, he joins us to honor his close friend, Michael Stern, as part of Stern's final season as music director of the Kansas City Symphony.

I'm pleased to join the orchestra at the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ for the Enigma Variations.

For tickets, call 816-471-0400.

I'll present an organ concert, co-sponsored by the Roanoke chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Titled "A World of Wonders," this program celebrates the fantastic world that surrounds us.

Planned repertoire includes:

CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR (1844-1937): Intermezzo from Symphony No. 6 for organ

ANDREA GABRIELI (c.1533-1585): Canzon detta Qui la dira (Who Will Say?)

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (All Glory be to God on High), BWV 676

FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847), transcr. Samuel P. Warren: Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream

FELA SOWANDE (1905-1987): Obangiji

GUNNAR IDENSTAM (b. 1961): Menuet nordique

BENJAMIN CORNELIUS-BATES (b. 1978): Fantasia on "I Wonder ..."

ROBERT ELMORE (1939-1985): Rhumba

LIBBY LARSEN (b. 1950): Tambourines, from Aspects of Glory

PAUL AYRES (b. 1970): Toccatina on Here Comes the Sun (based on the song by George Harrison)

JOSEPH BONNET (1884-1944): Variations de Concert, Op. 1

I'm so looking forward to playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ for this performance!

From the Kansas City Symphony website:

Michael Stern, conductor Joelle Harvey, soprano Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”

A transcendent experience awaits you — Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony is truly one of his greatest, most deeply emotional works. The stage and choral loft will be filled with musicians bringing you music that touches the soul. Soprano Joelle Harvey and mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor give voice to this luminous work.

Mahler’s personal favorite of his many symphonies, it took him seven years to complete the work. From moments of sublime tenderness to extravagant displays of vigor, this powerful symphony illuminates life’s journey. Soloists, chorus, and a massive orchestra join together to contemplate the nature of life and death, the role of faith, and ultimate meaning.

Inspiration for the radiant finale came as Mahler attended the funeral of his mentor, the conductor Hans von Bülow. Upon hearing “The Resurrection,” a poem by Friedrich Klopstock set to a chorale melody, Mahler later said, “It flashed on me like lightning and everything became plain and clear in my mind. It was the flash that all creative artists wait for ...” From that creative spark came the shape of this epic symphony. Join Michael Stern, Joelle Harvey, Kelley O'Connor, and the Symphony Chorus directed by Grammy® winner Charles Bruffy, and your Kansas City Symphony for an unforgettable performance.

I'm so looking forward to playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ for this performance!

From the Kansas City Symphony website:

Michael Stern, conductor Joelle Harvey, soprano Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”

A transcendent experience awaits you — Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony is truly one of his greatest, most deeply emotional works. The stage and choral loft will be filled with musicians bringing you music that touches the soul. Soprano Joelle Harvey and mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor give voice to this luminous work.

Mahler’s personal favorite of his many symphonies, it took him seven years to complete the work. From moments of sublime tenderness to extravagant displays of vigor, this powerful symphony illuminates life’s journey. Soloists, chorus, and a massive orchestra join together to contemplate the nature of life and death, the role of faith, and ultimate meaning.

Inspiration for the radiant finale came as Mahler attended the funeral of his mentor, the conductor Hans von Bülow. Upon hearing “The Resurrection,” a poem by Friedrich Klopstock set to a chorale melody, Mahler later said, “It flashed on me like lightning and everything became plain and clear in my mind. It was the flash that all creative artists wait for ...” From that creative spark came the shape of this epic symphony. Join Michael Stern, Joelle Harvey, Kelley O'Connor, and the Symphony Chorus directed by Grammy® winner Charles Bruffy, and your Kansas City Symphony for an unforgettable performance.

I'm so looking forward to playing the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ for this performance!

From the Kansas City Symphony website:

Michael Stern, conductor Joelle Harvey, soprano Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, chorus director

GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”

A transcendent experience awaits you — Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony is truly one of his greatest, most deeply emotional works. The stage and choral loft will be filled with musicians bringing you music that touches the soul. Soprano Joelle Harvey and mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor give voice to this luminous work.

Mahler’s personal favorite of his many symphonies, it took him seven years to complete the work. From moments of sublime tenderness to extravagant displays of vigor, this powerful symphony illuminates life’s journey. Soloists, chorus, and a massive orchestra join together to contemplate the nature of life and death, the role of faith, and ultimate meaning.

Inspiration for the radiant finale came as Mahler attended the funeral of his mentor, the conductor Hans von Bülow. Upon hearing “The Resurrection,” a poem by Friedrich Klopstock set to a chorale melody, Mahler later said, “It flashed on me like lightning and everything became plain and clear in my mind. It was the flash that all creative artists wait for ...” From that creative spark came the shape of this epic symphony. Join Michael Stern, Joelle Harvey, Kelley O'Connor, and the Symphony Chorus directed by Grammy® winner Charles Bruffy, and your Kansas City Symphony for an unforgettable performance.