Wind Ensemble to Perform Italian Music Concert
JONESBORO – The Arkansas State University Wind Ensemble will conclude its 2016-17 concert season on Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m. in Fowler Center’s Riceland Hall.
The theme of the concert is “Musica Italiana” and will feature a wide variety of Italian music. Dr. Timothy Oliver, director of bands at A-State and conductor of the A-State Wind Ensemble, said, “The music of Italy is diverse, incredibly rich, and extremely significant. I have wanted to program an Italian concert for Wind Ensemble for a long time.” In addition, this concert is an opportunity for an interdisciplinary event with the Honors College as they undertake a study abroad experience to Italy in May.
The concert will open with “Symphonic Concert March” composed by G. Bonelli. Very little is known about Bonelli other than this march has served as a concert opener for decades. Ottorino Respighi composed the second work in 1932, “Huntingtower: Ballad for Band.” This is Respighi’s only work for wind band and also one of the last works he composed. The third work represents the beginning of formal wind band music. Written in 1597, Giovanni Gabrieli’s “Sonata pian’e forte” is generally regarded as the first piece of music to use a specified instrumentation and notated dynamics.
Immediately prior to intermission, Joe Bonner, assistant professor of flute, will be honored for his 33 years of service to A-State. He will be retiring at the end of the academic year.
The second half of the concert will begin by featuring Matt Carey, assistant professor of vocal studies, on one of the most famous opera arias ever composed, “Largo al Factotum” from "The Barber of Seville" penned by Gioacchino Rossini. This will segue to Giuseppe Verdi’s “Manzoni Requiem,” a powerful and yet at times serene work. The concert will conclude with the famous Italian song “Funiculi-Funicula” by Luigi Denza, arranged as a wind band rhapsody by Japanese composer Yo Goto.
Tickets are $5 for the general public, and students are admitted free with their ID.
For more information about this concert or any other A-State music event, one may contact the Music Department at (870) 972-2094.
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