Tag Archives: Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra

WHCO – Dances: A Celebration of Musical Heritage

The Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra presents our season opener Dances, exploring music written for and inspired by dance around the world.

Program:

  • Béla Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances
  • Brian Morales: Harlem Dances (premiere of arrangement for string orchestra commissioned by the Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra)
  • Leonard Bernstein: Fancy Free

Dance and music are two intertwined art forms that are a fundamental part of cultures across many periods of history and serve as a vehicle for us to tell our stories. We begin our season of musical heritage with Dances, exploring music written for and inspired by dance around the world.

The program begins with Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, a work for chamber orchestra based on several dance tunes from Transylvania. Originally played on the fiddle or shepherd’s flute, Bartók aimed to capture a variety of moods and dance types from his own and neighboring countries. Next, we feature Washington Heights composer Brian Morales’ Harlem Dances, an exciting work that draws from the rhythms and cultures of Harlem and Washington Heights, in a new arrangement for string orchestra commissioned by the WHCO. The performance concludes with iconic New York composer Leonard Bernstein’s Fancy Free, a ballet that pays homage to the jazz-filled and high energy streets of his home city.

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!

WHCO at Dyckman Farmhouse: Luminae Trio: Contrasts

WHCO sunset picnic performance!

Luminae Trio: Contrasts

Friday, August 23rd at 7pm
Dyckman Farmhouse Museum
4881 Broadway at West 204th Street

Enjoy a 1 hour sunset picnic performance by the Luminae Trio in the historic setting of the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum garden. Bring your own picnic (and blanket and chairs and bug spray, etc.) to enjoy during the concert. The garden is “Leave No Trace” so be sure to clean up what you brought in.

Free admission; donations gratefully accepted.
The Washington Heights-based Luminae Trio is excited to present a diverse selection of works that draw from a wide range of musical styles and influences. Featuring Beethoven and Jennifer Higdon, two composers from distinct backgrounds, the program shares moments of both great excitement and deep intimacy.

The Luminae Trio is composed of two WHCO members, Jacob Nordlinger (cello) and Elizabeth Wright (violin), alongside fellow uptowner Jestin Pieper (piano). It is the group’s unified vision not only to share chamber music as a means of communication and expression, but also to illuminate the works of lesser-known and underrepresented composers and make this music known.

For more info about the Luminae Trio and the release of their upcoming album, visit www.luminaetrio.com

WHCO Sunset Picnic Performance! Trio Fadolín: Heirlooms

Thursday, July 25th at 7pm
Fort Washington Collegiate Church (181 & Ft. Washington Ave)

Enjoy a 1 hour sunset picnic performance by Trio Fadolín in the beautiful FWCC garden. Bring your own picnic (and blanket and chairs and bug spray, etc.) to enjoy during the concert. The garden is “Leave No Trace” so be sure to clean up what you brought in.

Free admission; donations gratefully accepted.