Classically Speaking

“Blessed are they that mourn:
for they shall be comforted.”
 
      -Brahms Requiem (Matthew 5:4)

In times of sadness and loss, do you turn to music?  What music comforts you? Or do you look for music that distracts you?

Today on the radio, we featured music that I hope provides some comfort -- music of mourning, but also of hope (the list of music that was on the radio today can be found here). 

Some of the pieces are so powerful and so sad that they can be overwhelming, while also consoling and connecting us: The Unanswered Question by Charles Ives, Brahms’ Requiem (and those by Mozart, Fauré, and others), Barber’s Adagio for Strings…

There are many other pieces, perhaps including some music that is particularly special for you.  If you have music that is meaningful to you that you think might also comfort others, please share your thoughts in the comments.
  

Here's some music that I've been drawn to:

The National Symphony Orchestra is visiting West Virginia this week, from April 5-13.  They will be playing concerts, teaching, and more, all as part of their West Virginia residency.

This residency is a very special chance to meet and hear musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra, whether you attend one of the full symphonic concerts, catch one of the chamber groups (string, wind, brass, and percussion ensembles), attend an arts lecture, or observe them teaching and coaching musicians. 

It’s also a great experience to connect our state through classical music – friends and family from Huntington, Wheeling, Charleston, Princeton, Morgantown, etc. can share similar concert experiences and compare notes. Here’s a guide to catching the National Symphony when they come to your part of the state:
 

Beckley

April 10, 1pm: Conducting Workshop, with Iván Fischer (Woodrow Wilson High School)

April 11, 7pm: Chamber Music (String Quintet) Concert (Tamarack)

April 12: School performance
 

Charleston

April 11, 10:45am: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (church service)

April 12: School performances and coaching

April 12, 10am: Young People’s Concert, Emil de Cou, conductor “Sounds Historic” (Clay Center)

April 12, 8pm: National Symphony Orchestra Concert, Ivan Fischer, conductor (Clay Center)
               BERNSTEIN: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
               MOZART: Symphony No. 38 in D Major "Prague"      
               DVOŘÁK: Symphony No.8 in G Major, Op. 88
 

Clarksburg

April 8, noon: Advocacy Talk: Emil de Cou, Associate Conductor (YWCA)

April 8, 7pm: Chamber Music Concert (Waldmore Library)

April 12: School performances and coaching

April 12: School performance

April 8: School performance

Fairmont

April 8, noon: Lecture/Demonstration for Music Education Students (Fairmont State University)

April 8, 4pm: Talk about Life in the Arts: Emil de Cou, Associate Conductor (Caperton Center at Fairmont State)           

April 8, 8pm: Chamber Music Concert (Wallman Hall Theater, Fairmont State University)

 Glenville

April 9, 3pm: Clinics and Master Classes (Glenville State College)

April 9, 6pm: Meet the Performers Panel (Gallery of Fine Arts Building, Glenville State College)
 
April 9, 7pm: National Symphony Orchestra Concert, Ivan Fischer, conductor (GSC Fine Arts Auditorium)
              BERNSTEIN: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
              MOZART: Symphony No. 38 in D Major, "Prague"      
              DVOŘÁK: Symphony No.8 in G Major, Op. 88

Huntington

April 10, 1pm: Teddy Bear Concert (Huntington Museum of Art)

April 10, 2pm: Chamber Music (String Quartet) Performance (The Barnett Center)
 
April 10, 3:30pm: Clinics and Master Classes (Marshall University)
 
April 10, 5pm: Arts Education Talk (Keith Albee Theater)

April 10, 8pm: National Symphony Orchestra Concert, Ivan Fischer, conductor (Keith Albee Theater/Marshall University Artist Series)
               BERNSTEIN: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
               MOZART: Symphony No. 38 in D Major, "Prague"      
               DVOŘÁK: Symphony No.8 in G Major, Op. 88

April 7-8: School and Nursing home performances

Marlinton

 Mill Creek

April 8: School performance
 

Morgantown

April 5, 7pm: Flute Master Class and Bassoon Master Class (WVU)

April 5, 7:30pm: Chamber Music Concert (Wind Quintet) at Arts Monongahela

April 6, 10am: Workshop for Singers (WVU)

April 6-9: Hospital and School Performances

April 7, noon: Arts Advocacy Talk: Rita Shapiro, Executive Director (Arts Monongahela)

April 7, 1pm: Violin Master Class (WVU)

April 7, 2pm: Piano Master Class (WVU)

April 7, 3pm: Percussion (Timpani) Master Class (WVU)

April 7, 7:30pm: National Symphony Orchestra Concert, Ivan Fischer, conductor (Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre, WVU)
              BERNSTEIN: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
              MOZART: Symphony No. 38 in D Major, "Prague"      
              DVOŘÁK: Symphony No.8 in G Major, Op. 88
 
April 8, 7pm: Clarinet Master Class and Trombone Master Class (WVU)

Mount Gay

April 10, 1:30pm: Chamber Music (Brass Quintet) Concert (Southern WV Community College)

Philippi

 April 9: School performances

Princeton

April 11, 3pm: National Symphony Orchestra Concert, Ivan Fischer, conductor (Chuck Mathena Center)
              BERNSTEIN: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
              MOZART: Symphony No. 38 in D Major, "Prague"      
              DVOŘÁK: Symphony No.8 in G Major, Op. 88

April 11, 7pm: Artistic Exchange (RiffRaff Arts Collective)

April 13: School performances

Rowlesburg

April 5, 7:30pm: Chamber Music Concert (Brass Quintet) at Szilagyi Center
 

West Liberty

April 6, 3:30pm: Master Classes (West Liberty University)
 

Wheeling

April 6, noon: Arts Advocacy Talk: Rita Shapiro, Executive Director (Wes Banco Arena)

April 6, 7:30pm: National Symphony Orchestra Concert, Ivan Fischer, conductor (Capitol Theatre, Wheeling)
              BERNSTEIN: Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
              MOZART: Symphony No. 38 in D Major, "Prague"      
              DVOŘÁK: Symphony No.8 in G Major, Op. 88