PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS WORLD PREMIERE IN TWO DECEMBER CONCERTS

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS WORLD PREMIERE IN TWO DECEMBER CONCERTS

The Princeton University Orchestra (“PUO”) will include the world premiere of Three Places in Grand Rapids by its principal cellist, Princeton University senior Calvin Van Zytveld, in two performances on December 6 & 7, 2018 at 7:30PM in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall. On the heels of a busy October that included presenting internationally renowned conductor Iván Fischer leading the Orchestra of the Accademia Teatro Alla Scala as well as the ensemble’s own season opening concerts, PUO continues to showcase its vibrant season under the baton of associate conductor Ruth Ochs, standing in for Michael Pratt. The December programs also include Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Manuel De Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat Ballet Suite, and will conclude with Claude Debussy’s orchestral masterpiece La mer, L. 109.

Maestra Ochs shared her reflections on the program:

“Debussy’s La mer stands at the top of the orchestral repertory for its perfectly calibrated scoring and use of orchestral timbre to evoke diverse sonic images of the natural moods and undulations of the sea.  Debussy completely redefined what an orchestra might sound like with this tremendous score. Manuel de Falla did not compose too many “hits,” one might say, but his dances from the ballet The Three-Cornered Hat are timeless and evoke an immediate sense of authentic Spanish dance and spirit. We are thrilled to present the world premiere of Music Major Calvin Van Zytveld’s Three Places in Grand Rapids.  The score consists of three musical vignettes of his hometown, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  At times, Calvin uses a jazz-harmony inspired sound, at other moments the score’s textures are rich and contemplative.  He puts a clever twenty-first century spin on what an orchestra might evoke. In many respects, this work is a beautiful summation of all that Calvin has accomplished as a musician at Princeton.  It is a huge honor for me to shepherd this work to life.”

Tickets are only $15 General/$5 Students, available at music.princeton.edu or by phone (609-258-9220) or in person at Princeton University Ticketing.

Upcoming highlights in PUO’s 2018-19 season include a winter overseas tour through Barcelona, Zaragoza, and Madrid, Spain, as well as two performances under the baton of conducting sensation Gustavo Dudamel, Princeton University Concerts’ Artist-in-Residence this season, including a free concert at the War Memorial in Trenton, NJ. For more information about all concerts on the ensemble’s upcoming season, please visit music.princeton.edu.

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