Moores Music Notes

Chris Brunt

While most of you have been slinging back cider and hanging garish, yet festive, Christmas decorations in your homes, the virtuosi-in-training at the Moores School of Music have been busy. 

Their winter lineup is locked and stocked — expect no caroling. Come and be dazzled. 

MSMis fiercest prodigies will celebrate their decades of toil and anguish Friday, when the Moores School Concerto Competition Winners collect their dividends in a special recital, performing as soloists accompanied by the Moores Symphony Orchestra. Appreciate the achievement of these young musicians; a concerto competition of this prestige is about as easy to win as the World Cup. 

Jay Sun will take center stage in Prokofievis Second Piano Concerto. This Russian masterpiece is immensely popular and fantastically difficult. Think thunder and lightning. Think, also, Stanley Kubrick and the love poems of Ovid. At the least, itis so Russian it will make you want to put on one of those furry hats and invade small countries. At some point in every pianistis life, he must confront Prokofiev. Our thoughts are with you, Mr. Sun. 

Sammy Fuks solos in the Ibert Concerto for Flute and Orchestra. This piece, while not performed frequently, is an absolute pleasure. Ask yourself: When was the last time I attended a flute concerto? Itis your duty as an inhabitant of the West to do this at least once. The Ibert is a fortunate opportunity. 

The concert will conclude with Prokofievis Romeo & Juliet Suites No. 1 and 2. You think J.Lo is grand? She is, but Prokofiev epitomizes grandness. 

This is a work for full orchestra, and in the parlance of our times it hits hard. Bring your furs; the Opera House will feel like Siberia when Shakespeareis sentiments fill the walls. 

Maestro Franz Anton Krager conducts. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors. 

Christmas at the Moores School is at 3 p.m. Sunday, featuring musical performances from all MSM choral ensembles, a trombone choir, a saxophone ensemble, and a percussion ensemble. 

The repertoire will include the entire 'Carols and Lullabies” of Conrad Susa, as well as excerpts from Benjamin Brittenis 'Ceremony of Carols” and Respighiis 'Laud to the Nativity.” Donit be discouraged by seeing the word 'nativity” after an Italian composeris name. As MSM is a place of inclusion and warmth, non-Catholics are indeed welcome. 

The concert will conclude with a Christmas sing-a-long, in which the audience will be invited to participate. Please halt all binge drinking at least three hours before attending said sing-a-long.