A jazzy salute to fiddling fun from Anderson, Gould, Gershwin
News release
The Hays Symphony will be presenting an Outdoor Pops Concert as part of the Hays Arts Council’s Art Walk on Friday, Aug. 26, at 7:30 p.m., in the Hays Pavilion located at 10th and Main. The ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Brian Buckstead, assistant professor of violin and viola at FHSU.
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy an outdoor concert celebrating American music in this Pops Potpourri Concert. Each of the featured composers offers a unique representation of music from the Twentieth Century. This group of American composers, Leroy Anderson, George Gershwin, Morton Gould and Richard Hayman were all giants in their field, creating a kind of American songbook.
Once considered as America’s favorite ‘pop’ conductor, Richard Hayman conducted a myriad of ensembles throughout the Eastern United States, eventually becoming the chief arranger for the Boston Pops during Arthur Fielder’s tenure. His Pops Hoedown is a kind of ‘Yeehaar,’ barnyard romp giving the musicians of the orchestra quite a workout.
Maestro Buckstead programmed several of Leroy Anderson’s works for this concert, the most famous of which being the “Syncopated Clock.” The work features the woodblock with a constant rhythmic pulse intertwined with short light melodies in the strings. John Williams described Mr. Anderson as “one of the greatest American masters of light orchestral music.”
Morton Gould was considered a child prodigy, having his first composition published at the age of six. He later went on to study at the prestigious Julliard School and became an accomplished pianist. His was employed at Radio City Music Hall as a staff pianist, exposing him to the both classical and popular programming of the day. Yankee Doodlewas inspired by his lifelong endearment of those who served in our armed services. American Salute was originally written for orchestra (in 24 hours) then later for band. The work represents Gould’s skill in thematic development; he creates the work based solely upon the melody of When Johnny Comes Marching Home.
George Gershwin so well known for his epic Rhapsody in Blue, and jazzy show stopping Broadway tunes showed his more reflective side with his “Lullaby for Strings.” When Lullaby was finally published in 1968, Ira Gershwin wrote, “It may not be the Gershwin of Rhapsody in Blue, Concerto in F, and his other concert works, but I find it charming and kind.”
This free concert and the post-concert reception consisting of cookies and drinks is made possible by Cathy’s Breads and AutoWorld.