Stories of Freedom Concert

Description

Kingsport, TN - Symphony of the Mountains 2015-2016 Season has been filled with pieces paying homage to veterans both at home and abroad. Our 'Stories of Freedom' Concert on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 7:30pm at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center in Kingsport, TN is the culmination of our goal to honor men and women who have served their country. We invite all of our veterans, both active and retired, to wear their uniforms and medals of honor so they may stand and be recognized during the concert. Repertoire is: - Copland: Lincoln Portrait - Dvorak: A Hero's Song, Op. 111 - Bach: Dona nobis pacem from Mass in B Minor - Thompson: Testament of Freedom Aaron Copland's 'Lincoln Portrait' was commissioned during World War II to compose a portrait of an eminent American. To express the 'magnificent spirit of our country', Copeland selected Abraham Lincoln as his subject. The composition includes narrations of Lincoln's great documents. Readings will be performed by Your Weekly Constitutional radio show host and award winning law professor Stewart Harris. Antonin Dvorak's 'A Hero's Song' is symphonic poetry that weaves the story of the hero of the spirit. Fatigued by the formidable glare of his wondrous idea, he sets out into the world to battle for his great objective. He proclaims his noble word, but icy disappointment pulls him down from his victorious flight. With his soul stifled and anguish gripping his innermost being, his God-given strength will not let him fall. From his sorrow a ray of hope surges forth and our hero spreads his wings to once again take flight; once more unto the breach, dear friends. The hero flies up towards the sun-lit heights, born on eagle's wings. There, finally, he stands victorious, swathed in glory. Randal Thompson's 'Testament of Freedom' was written while he was teaching at the University of Virginia to celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of Thomas Jefferson. The text for the work was taken from Jefferson's writings and the result is something like a religious cantata, although it is intended to praise the ideal of nationhood. Following the concert, we will have an Encore Reception to celebrate the close of another successful season. This will also be a time to learn about the exciting offerings Symphony of the Mountains has planned for their 2016-2017 season. Tickets to the concert are $35 with veterans admitted free with their military ID. As with all Symphony of the Mountains subscription concerts, children and students admitted free. Group discounts for 10+ are available by calling the Symphony Box Office. Encore Reception tickets are available for just $10 and the reception is sponsored by LongHorn Steakhouse of Kingsport. To order your tickets, call Symphony of the Mountains Box Office at (423) 392-8423 or visit us on the web at www.SymphonyOfTheMountains.org.