Saturday, February 9th St. Philips Lutheran Church, Carmel Valley 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 10th, Peace United Church Christ, Santa Cruz 7:00 PM
Ensemble Monterey presents a concert titled “Songs and Dances” featuring three local soloists performing a variety of works in the chamber repertory.
Baritone Tom Lehmkuhl will perform Gustav Mahler’s “Songs of the Wayfarer,” arranged by Arnold Schoenberg. Director Dr. John Anderson says of this selection:
We are performing Arnold Schoenberg’s own reduction of Gustav Mahler’s masterpiece, “The Songs of a Wayfarer.” It is the world’s greatest and best torch song. Here a young Mahler explains what’s going on:
Last night I sat alone with her and we were both almost wordless awaiting the New Year. Her thoughts were not with her companion, and when the clock struck, and the tears poured from her eyes, the terrible realization came over me that it was not for me to dry those tears. … My accomplishments: I have written a song cycle, six songs for the time being, all of which are dedicated to her. She does not know them. What else can they tell her beside what she already knows? … The songs are conceived as if a wayfaring craftsman has suffered a heavy fate and now goes out into the world and wanders aimlessly.
It is one of the most beautiful and touching portraits of a place we have all been, and it will be sung by our own Thomas Lehmkuhl. We will be doing it just as it was done 100 years ago; conducted and arranged by Arnold Schoenberg as a tribute to his beloved mentor, Gustav Mahler.
Also on the program are harpist Jennifer Cass performing Claude Debussy’s “Dances Sacred and Profane” and operatic soprano Diane Syrcle will solo in Alberto Ginastera’s “Cantos del Tucuman.” The concert will also include Johann Strauss’ “Roses from the South.”
Join us one hour before each concert for a discussion about the music and is history with Dr. John Anderson.
Tickets are available for purchase online at www.ensemblemonterey.org or by phone at 831 333 1283.
General Admission $40, Seniors $30, Students $10
