Windows Into Other Worlds

Join the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra (PVSO) for "Windows Into Other Worlds," an unforgettable evening of music celebrating cultures from around the globe. The concert will open with Nigerian composer Fela Sowande's Folk Symphony, commissioned by the Nigerian government for its independence celebration in 1960 and inspired by the country's rich musical heritage. Next, flute virtuoso and Latin Grammy-nominated artist Giovanni A. Pérez will perform with the PVSO in the world premiere of his flute concerto, Esclavitud Perpétua, which reflects on how over 500 years of colonization and cultural clashes have shaped and evolved Puerto Rican music. The evening will conclude with Respighi's Pines of Rome. This tone poem, with its vibrant orchestration, portrays the lively landscapes of Rome. The Italian composer created it as a tribute to his nation's capital. The work's soaring finale will leave you feeling inspired.

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Tianhui Ng, Conductor

Giovanni A. Pérez, Soloist

Folk Symphony by Fela Sowande

Esclavitud Perpétua, a world premiere flute concerto by Giovanni A. Pérez

Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi

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Concert length is 1 hour 45 minutes with intermission. PVS Resident Musicologist Dr. David Schneider, Georges Lurcy Professor of Music at Amherst College, will present a pre-concert talk at 6 PM.

This concert is sponsored in part by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, Lathrop Retirement Communities, and Greenfield Cooperative Bank.