A ceremony of sound worlds sacred and surprising, celebrating the breadth and richness of percussion.

The drum is among the oldest instruments on earth, used in sacred rites and celebrations, for war and for dancing. The percussion family has grown to encompass a countless array of instruments, a handful of which are on show in this glittering program of old and new works.

Percussion makes itself at home in nearly every musical mood, from Handel’s sprightly ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’ – a wedding staple from his oratorio Solomon – to Debussy’s poignant ‘Clair de Lune’, inspired by poetry by Paul Verlaine.

The timeless pairing of dance and percussion is reflected in arrangements of ‘Madeira River’, from Phillip Glass’ Amazon-inspired ballet score, and in Piazzolla’s rhythmic Tango Suite.

This dynamic program includes an exciting world premiere from Peggy Polias, our Composer in Connection.

We close with Michael Burritt’s folk-inspired Blue Soul: an open-hearted ode to life and our interconnectedness. 

Arists
CSO Chamber Ensemble

Repertoire
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL ‘The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’ from Solomon, HWV 67
CLAUDE DEBUSSY Prelude and ‘Clair de Lune’ from Suite bergamasque
PEGGY POLIAS COMPOSER IN CONNECTION World premiere, new CSO commission
PHILLIP GLASS ‘Madeira’ from Aguas da Amazonia
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA Tango No. 1 from Tango Suite
MICHAEL BURRITT Blue Soul