WHCO May Concert: “Landscapes”

Featuring the string players of the orchestra, the Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra concludes our season with Landscapes, a musical homage to the distant lands that are a part of our heritage.

Program:
Fela Sowande: African Suite for Strings
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings

Even those born and raised in Washington Heights tend to look back to their heritage in a distant homeland. Talking about “where we are from” is one of the most common unifying conversations in our community. We conclude our 10th anniversary season exploring heritage with Landscapes, featuring the string players of the WHCO in two large format works hailing from Nigeria and Russia. Fela Sowande is considered the father of modern Nigerian music, and his piece African Suite for Strings seamlessly blends both original and traditional themes from countries like Nigeria and Ghana into its five contrasting movements. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is synonymous with the Russian musical output of the late 19th century and was responsible for other powerhouse works like 1812 Overture and The Nutcracker. We conclude the program with his Serenade for Strings. Tchaikovsky himself believed that this work was one of the finest pieces he ever wrote, stating it is “a piece from the heart, and so, I venture to hope that this work is not without artistic qualities.”

Prior to the concert, at 2:15pm, bring the whole family to our “Meet the Instruments” petting zoo where even our youngest listeners can get up close and personal with their favorite instruments before seeing them come alive onstage. This event will take place (weather permitting) in the beautiful setting of the Fort Washington Green, the community garden space at FWCC.

And finally, join the musicians of WHCO after the concert for a reception!