Mr. Lecce-Chong was appointed assistant conductor of the MSO beginning in the 2011-12 season. In addition to assisting Music Director Edo de Waart and guest conductors, he plays an active role in the orchestra’s community and educational programs. He holds degrees in both piano and orchestral conducting.

Scott Tisdel, soloist for the pair of Dvorak pieces for Cello & Orchestra, has served as Associate Principal Cellist of the MSO and Principal Cellist of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra since his arrival in Milwaukee in 1987.

The MSO program will give the audience a glimpse of their invitational performance at the Spring for Music Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 11th. [See the complete program notes.] The program:

FELIX MENDELSSOHN… The Hebrides Overture, Opus 26, “Fingal’s Cave”
ANTONIN DVORÁK… Silent Woods for Cello and Orchestra
ANTONIN DVORÁK… Rondo in G minor for Cello and Orchestra, Opus 94
SERGEI PROKOFIEV… Classical Symphony, Opus 25 [Symphony No. 1]
ANTONIN DVORÁK… Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Opus 95, [old No. 5] “From the New World

Tradition since Civic Music’s first season 85 years ago, the final concert is a free bonus concert for next season’s new members. New members will receive six concerts for the price of five, including the MSO concerts which conclude this year’s and next year’s concert series. Call the Civic Music office if you know someone who might be interested in becoming a member for next season–we’ll send a brochure. Share the excitement!

Ticket prices remain unchanged for the 7th consecutive year:
$80, adult season tickets; $25 student season tickets
$35, MSO concert only; $10 student, MSO concert only

Season Finale Reception:

Titletown Brewing Company following the concert. Y’all come!

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In Memoriam…

The MSO concert will be dedicated to the life of Noreen Remmel who died on April 27, 2012. Noreen and her husband Lee were members of Brown County Civic Music since the 1950s. A member of the Board of Directors since 1977, Noreen served as secretary, a member of the talent selection committee and an usher. Noreen & Lee were honored in 2008 by both the Civic Music and Packers organizations for their many years of service to Brown County Civic Music.

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The annual Civic Music Membership Meeting will be held Wednesday, June 13th, at the First United Presbyterian Church in De Pere (corner of Webster Ave. & George St.) at 7 pm. All Civic Music members are welcome and encouraged to attend. On the agenda are the election of officers & board members and other board matters. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, or if you would like to nominate someone to serve, please submit the name & qualifications/experience by email to BCcivicmusic@gmail.com prior to May 30th. Board members meet several times a year, and all members volunteer for the various committees that keep this non-profit, volunteer organization running smoothly & successfully.

Renew your membership at the MSO concert. Please put your membership form and a check in an envelope and drop it in the box on the table in the lobby. See next season’s lineup.

Reminder: Your season membership tickets will be mailed in September.

Thank you for your support and your dedication to outstanding classical music from around the world brought to you by the Brown County Civic Music Association.

MSO: Green Bay, 5/19/12
Notes by Roger Ruggeri © 2012

Felix Mendelssoh (1809-1847)
Overture, “The Hebrides” (“Fingal’s Cave”), Opus 26

The Romantic era’s fascination with Nature and natural subjects is embodied in Mendelssohn’s celebrated concert overture, The Hebrides. The overture is a product of the same trip to Scotland in 1829 that inspired the composition of the Scottish Symphony (No. 3). Mendelssohn and his friend, Karl Klingemann, took a boat to view the famed Fingal’s Cave, located on the island of Staffa in the Inner Hebrides. In a letter, Klingemann recalled: “We were put out into boats and clambered past the hissing sea on stumps of columns up the odiously celebrated Fingal’s Cave. I must say, never did such green and roaring waves pound in a stranger cave. The many pillars make the inside resemble a monstrous organ. Black, resounding, and utterly without any purpose at all, it lies there, the broad gray sea inside it and in front of it.” Mendelssohn, however, was so moved by the grandeur of the cave that he allegedly sketched the first twenty-one measures of the overture while sitting in the bobbing boat. Like the Scottish Symphony, the overture was completed more than a year later while the composer was in Rome.

The overture begins with an immediate presentation of the one-measure main motive in the low strings and bassoons. This melody is woven into a texture of changing harmonies. A second melody –one that had an enormous influence upon 19th-century European music– rises and falls simply in the cellos, clarinets and bassoons. There is development of the materials and an exciting coda that brings to a close a work Wagner declared to be “one of the most beautiful pieces we possess.”

Antonin Dvorák (1841-1904)
Silent Woods (Klid) for Cello and Orchestra, Opus 68, No. 5

Soon after accepting a two-year appointment as Director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, Dvorák agreed to a sort of farewell concert tour in the early months of 1892. Scheduled to perform concerts of his own music in thirty-nine cities in Bohemia and Moravia, Dvorák planned to tour as a pianist with two of his longtime friends and colleagues, violinist Ferdinand Lachner and cellist Hanus Wihan. While working out the actual programs, Dvorák suddenly realized that he had no music to feature Wihan as soloist.

Immediately after Christmas 1891, Dvorák spent two days making arrangements for cello and piano of his Slavonic Dance No. 8 and the fifth movement, Silent Woods, from his evocative suite of piano four-hand pieces entitled From the Bohemian Forest. Wihan and Dvorák gave the first performance of this musical woodland scene in Prague on March 24, 1892.

Antonin Dvorák
Rondo for Cello and Orchestra in G minor, Opus 94

On Christmas Day 1891, Dvorák composed a concise piece that he referred to as the “Rondo for Professor Wihan.” The work’s folk-flavored rondo theme returns between virtuosic and melodic episodes before subsiding to a hushed conclusion. Wihan and Dvorák premiered the Rondo at Kladno on January 6, 1892.

In October of 1893, midway in his American sojourn, Dvorák created orchestral accompaniments to both the Rondo and Silent Woods. (Two years later, Dvorák wrote his epic Cello Concerto for Wihan.)

Serge Prokofiev (1891-1953)
Symphony No. 1 in D major (“Classical”), Op. 25

A compelling answer to the rhetorical question: “What would Mozart or Haydn be writing if they were alive today,” Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony is one of the earliest examples of the neo-classicism that attracted a number of early-20th-century composers.  A marvelous blend of economy, clarity, wit and whimsy, the Classical Symphony remains a fresh- sounding favorite of concert audiences throughout the world.

In his autobiography, Prokofiev recalled:

“I spent the summer of 1917 in the country near Petrograd all alone, reading Kant and working a great deal.  I deliberately did not take my piano with me, for I wished to try composing without it. …I had learned a great deal about Haydn’s technique from Tcherepnine and hence felt myself on sufficiently familiar ground to venture forth on this difficult journey without a piano…It seemed to me that had Haydn lived in our day he would have retained his own style while accepting something of the new at the same time.  That was the kind of symphony I wanted to write: a symphony in the classical style.  And when I saw that my idea was beginning to work, I called it the Classical Symphony…I composed the symphony in my head during my walks in the country.”

Its nature belying the fact that it was composed amid the unrest of the Bolshevist Revolution, the Classical Symphony served as one of Prokofiev’s calling cards on his American concert tour during the autumn of 1917.

Antonin Dvorák
Symphony No. 9 in E minor (“From the New World”), Opus 95

By the early 1890s Dvorák had achieved international recognition as a composer; among the fruits of his success was an offer to assume the directorship of the newly founded National Conservatory of Music in New York City. After some negotiation, an offer of a sum nearly thirty times his current salary prompted Dvorák to accept the post.

With his wife and two of their children, the composer set sail for America. They arrived in September of 1892 and moved into a New York brownstone; within three months of his arrival, Dvorák began sketching a new work that was to be his last and most famous symphony, a work that gained the subtitle “From the New World.” He began to work on January 10 and completed the scoring on May 24, 1893. Many romantic myths have swirled around this piece, including the idea that it was a sort of rhapsody on American Black and Indian motives. These concepts were strongly rebuffed by Dvorák, who wrote: “Omit the nonsense about my having made use of ‘Indian’ and ‘American’ motives. That is a lie. I tried to write only in the spirit of those national American melodies.”

While composing this symphony, Dvorák was being true to his own Czech muse; it is undeniable, however, that the work was generally influenced by his life in this country. In a letter to Bohemia written during the composition of the symphony, Dvorák said: “I should never have written the symphony like I have, if I hadn’t seen America.”

Found:

A cell phone was found in the auditorium Saturday night. If you are the sad owner, please call the Civic Music office at 920-338-1801.

Program | Season Listing | Biography

Jitro, Czech Girl Choir

Jitro, meaning “daybreak” in Czech, is one of the world’s premiere youth choirs. Based in Hradec Kralove, a town in the Czech Republic, Jitro is an organization of 500 girls in seven preparatory ensembles, of which only the most talented 25 to 50 qualify to tour. For 35 years they have been admired the world over for their tone, intonation, and rich blend of sound and energetic vitality. A favorite in Europe, they broke through with United States audiences with a much-heralded appearance at the national conference of the American Choral Directors Association.

Meaning “Daybreak” in Czech, Jitro is more than just a girls’ choir from Hradec Kralove, a town in the Czech Republic. It is an organization of 500 children in seven preparatory ensembles, of which only the best 25 to 30 qualify to tour. For 35 years they have been admired around the world for their tonal brilliance, superb intonation, distinctive rich blend of sound and energetic vitality. Considered one of the best children’s choirs in the world, Jitro will perform as part of the Brown County Civic Music series. During their stay in Green Bay, the Czech girls, ages 14-19, will be guests of members of the Green Bay Girl Choir and their families.

Jitro “The Daybreak” Girls Choir from the Czech Republic

March 3rd—7:30 pm; doors open at 7:00 (open seating)
Ralph Holter Auditorium in Green Bay West High School
Tickets: $25, adults; $10 students
Reception for concertgoers at Titletown Brewing Company following concert
bccivicmusic@gmail.com or 920-338-1801 for more information

See also:
The complete biography of Jitro
The program to be performed
The season listing

Since 1984 the choir has won 17 international competitions. In 2003 Jitro achieved the absolute victory, competing with 171 choruses from all over the world, at the international Songs Festival in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Jitro participated in six categories and won six gold medals.

The most recent USA tour, in 2008, included the Overture Center in Madison, WI. Their last overseas tour took place in Japan 2010, where the choir celebrated their new CD, “The Eternal Rainbow”, recorded in Tokyo and finalized in Czech Republic. Jitro CDs will be sold at the Civic Music concert.

Artistic director and conductor Professor Jiri Skopal, Ph.D. has been associated with the Czech Girls’ Choir since 1977. In 1982, he also formed a boys’ choir. A teacher, professor and the head of the Department of Music at University of Hradec Kralove, Prof. Skopal has published essays and choir education textbooks and is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. Professor Skopal works with accompanist Michael Chrobak.

Program | Season Listing | Biography

Dr. Jiri Skopal, Conductor
Michal Chrobak, Pianist

Program

March 3, 2012; 7:30pm, Ralph Hoelter Auditorium

Ascendit Deus – Jacobus Gallus (1550-1591)

Favete linquis singuli – Jan Campanus Vodnanský (1572-1622)

Kyrie eleison – Henk Badings (1907-1989)

A Ceremony of Carols – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Procession
Wolcum Yole!
There is no rose
Balulalou
As dew in Aprille
This little Babe
Deo Gratias
Recession

Moravské dvojzpěvy (Moravian Duets ) – Antonin Dvorák (1841-1904)

The Shlighted Heart
Parting without Sorrow
The Pledge of Love
Forsaken
The Modest Maid
The Ring

Largo (from “The New World Symphony”) – Antonin Dvorak (arr. Evzen Zamecnik)

Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor – Irving Berlin (1888-1989)

INTERMISSION

Proc bychom se netesili (from the Opera, “The Bartered Bride”) – Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884)

Tovacovsky hate (Tovacov fascine roads) (arr. Milan Uherek)
Na tom bosileckym mostku (On the Bosilec Foot-bridge) (arr. Frantisek Picha)

Moravske lidove pisne (Moravian folk songs) – Otmar Macha (1922-2006)

Maryjanek (Marjoram)
Helekacka (Whooping)
Lastuvenka (Little chimney swallow)

Oh, Mountain, Oh! – Otmar Macha

Folk Song Selections – Otakar Jeremias (1892-1962)

Dance, Dance – Miroslav Raichl (1930-1998)

Gorale – Jan Vicar (1949)

Program | Season Listing | Biography

Jitro “The Daybreak” Girls Choir from the Czech Republic

JITRO, meaning “Daybreak” in Czech, is more than just a concert choir from Hradec Kralove, a town in the Czech Republic. It is an organization of 500 children in seven preparatory ensembles, of which only the best 25 or 30 qualify to tour.  For 35 years they have been admired all over the world for their tonal brilliance, superb intonation, distinctive rich blend of sound and energetic vitality.  Jitro is today seen as one of the best children’s choirs anywhere in the world.  Many golden awards have been bestowed on the choir by international juries.  The list can begin with the prestigious European contests in Llangollen (1988), Nantes (1989), Lecco (1990) and Neerpelt (1996) and finish with  the recent World competitions in Olomouc (2003) and Xiamen (2006).

America’s love of Jitro was re-born when the choir was invited to sing at the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in San Antonio, Texas in 1993. Standing ovations were given by thousands of professional American conductors in the auditorium.  An official response from Dr. J. B. Haberlen, ACDA President, “Our ACDA members will long remember your concerts, as they were a major highlight of the 1993 convention.”  The excitement in this select audience of choral conductors and their sustained applause attest to this fact.  Professor Doreen Rao of Toronto University commented, “Are you aware that you have just changed forever the character and style of all American choral singing?”

Jitro Choir makes over 100 appearances annually and has sung with other renowned choruses, including the American Boys’ Choir.  Jitro has performed with the Bavarian Symphonic Orchestra, the Milano Symphonic Orchestra and Pardubice Philharmonic.  They have performed in prestigious concert halls in Prague, Barcelona, Hale, Bern, Basle, Dortmund, Avignon, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Austin, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, Baltimore, Atlanta, Nashville, Indianapolis, Madison, Chicago, Penn State University, New York City, Huston, San Antonio, Dallas, Corpus Christi, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Xiamen, and many more.

The Jitro Choir’s classical discography includes 20 solo Jitro discs. They have recorded with various companies like BMA, Classico, and Amabile. The recent discography of the choir contains a special edition of CDs devoted to famous composers associated somehow with the choir, Bohuslav Martinu, Otmar Macha, Petr Eben, Ilja Hurník.

In the year 2003 Jitro achieved the absolute victory, competing with one hundred seventy-one choruses from all over the world, at the international Songs Festival in Olomouc, Czech Republic.  Jitro participated in six categories and was granted six golden medals  (scoring one hundred points twice). The international commitment of the choir during that year included tours to USA, Switzerland (two tours), Germany (four tours), France (four tours), Poland and Austria. A very similar scenario has been repeated each year up to now. Since 1984 the choir Jitro always only won at international competitions, total 17 times (!!!), what attests to the continuing excellence by Jitro.

The choir took part in the Fourth World Choir Games 2006 in Xiamen, China in July 2006 and competed with four hundred choirs from all over the world.  They received three gold medals and one silver medal, which attests to the continuing excellence by Jitro.

Jitro choir permanently verifies its distinction by competing with other choirs. In July 2009 the choir achieved absolute victory in the BM competition in Pardubice, Czech Republic, having won in all categories they applied to and in the finale the choir was awarded the Grand Prix by unanimous verdict of all jury members.

The recent overseas tours were Japan 2007, USA 2008 (US tours already No. 10 and 11 in the row, the last one having been accepted really very well  – see critics attached).  The last overseas tour took place in Japan 2010, where the choir celebrated also the new CD “The Eternal Rainbow” recorded in Tokyo and finalized in Czech Republic. Jitro performed there 10 big concerts in large concert halls where the audience was several times over 1000 people. The choir was accepted in Japan very warmly. Mr. Ando, professor of music at Yokohama University said after the concert:

“Three years ago I considered that Jitro was the best choir all over the world, but you have technically even improved since that time. Some songs, e.g. Hillbillies (Jan Vicar) would not be mastered by any other choir worldwide.”

Artistic director and conductor Professor Jiri Skopal, Ph.D. is associated with the Czech Girls’ Choir (Jitro) since 1977.  In 1982, he also formed a boys’ choir.  Professor Skopal has been a teacher, professor and the head of the Department of Music at University of  Hradec Kralove. He has also published essays and choir education textbooks.  Professor Skopal is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. He was the very first person to be awarded the prestigious prize “Primus Inter Pares” by the City of Hradec Kralove for his outstanding contributions to the regional culture.  Professor Skopal works with accompanist Michael Chrobak on many artistic activities for the choir, including the development of their repertoire.