Amy Beach: Gaelic Symphony in E minor, Op. 32

This Rehearsal is being presented as a Relaxed Experience.

Relaxed Experiences are designed to make artistic spaces more welcoming and comfortable for neuro-diverse audience members, anyone on the autism spectrum, and people with sensory and/or communication disorders or learning disabilities. However, everyone can enjoy and benefit from the relaxed concert environment, including parents with babies and toddlers, individuals with Tourette’s syndrome, anyone who experiences anxiety, and folks who would simply like a more relaxed, easygoing atmosphere when attending a concert!

The WSO would like to acknowledge the support of our volunteers, Prelude Music, Canadian Mennonite University, and our Share the Music program for their support of this endeavour.

Learn more at www.wso.ca/relaxed/

Saturday March 4, 2023 @ 12:30 pm

Amy Beach:
Gaelic Symphony in E minor, Op. 32

Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony, or Symphony No. 2 in E minor, holds the distinction of being the first symphony composed by a female American composer. It was premiered in 1896 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Emil Paur.

Inspired by our last UNTUXED open rehearsal where we heard a work by Antonín Dvořák, Beach was heavily influenced by the way Dvořák would incorporate Native American and African American themes into his music.  Beach was living in Boston at the time where the Irish population was substantial so she turned to Celtic music (specifically “Dark is the Night”) for her symphony.

Join music director Daniel Raiskin as he leads the WSO in a rehearsal of this dramatic work, and discover what it takes to prepare for a performance. Afterwards, the maestro will answer any questions you have about the work or the rehearsal process in a short Q&A.

PROGRAM NOTES

UNTUXED: A unique and casual way to experience the WSO all in one hour.

*Please note this is a working rehearsal. The orchestra may not perform the work the whole way through. The conductor may start and stop the orchestra and discuss things with the musicians.