Orchestra’s Let’s Dance concert to enliven cold winter night

Three 20th Century pieces and a classical masterwork will be presented Feb. 4 when the Jackson Symphony Orchestra presents a mid-winter concert meant to raise pulses and inspire listeners.

“Our theme is Let’s Dance, but rather than being a depiction of actual dancing, I’d say the concert is more a celebration of rhythm,” said David Schultz, who will conduct the concert at the Potter Center in Jackson beginning at 7:30 p.m. “Each piece of music is built upon continual rhythmic themes that the listener can easily latch onto — a significant aspect of many a popular dance tune.

“At times the rhythms are more subtle (though still present in the background), allowing gorgeous and brilliant orchestral colors to shine through,” he continued. “Then there are moments when the rhythm is so strong you can’t help but move along with it, tapping your finger or nodding your head. Audience members are strongly encouraged not to resist these impulses; I guarantee you the orchestra will be moving right along with you!”

First on the program is The Chairman Dances (subtitled Foxtrot for Orchestra) by American composer John Adams. Written in 1985, the piece is an outtake from his opera Nixon in China, which recently played at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Next is Claude Debussy’s Sacred and Profane Dances, featuring soloist and regular JSO harpist Laurel Federbush.

“Composed in 1904, the piece is a lovely tour-de-force for the harp, featuring many techniques not before seen on the instrument,” Schultz said.

The third 20th Century piece on the program is Danzón No. 2, an increasingly popular orchestral favorite by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez. Composed in 1994, the music reflects the style of a dance that originated in Cuba and remains a tradition in Mexico and Latin America.

After intermission, the program will conclude with Ludwig van Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 7 in A major. It was written in 1811 at the peak of Beethoven’s “Heroic” period. Richard Wagner later dubbed it “the apotheosis of the dance” due to its emphasis on persistent rhythmic motives. The second movement remains the most popular (it was recently used to great effect in the Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech), but all four movements are dazzling strokes of genius.

“The ambition of the first movement, beauty of the second, the breathlessness of the scherzo, and relentless energy of the finale did not fail to impress audiences,” according to a National Public Radio article describing the initial 1813 and 1814 performances.

“I’m very excited to be directing this program,” Schultz said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to make music with the fine musicians of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, and I look forward to working with them in presenting the music for our community.”

Schultz was assistant conductor of the JSO for two years before his promotion to associate conductor this year.

“A fine musician with a most impressive background, Dr. Schultz has earned the respect of the musicians and audience with his numerous appearances conducting most of the Pops concerts since his hire and making several appearances on our classical series,” said JSO Music Director Stephen Osmond. “He received his Doctorate from MSU this Spring and has done a great job developing the Jackson Youth Symphony into the fine ensemble it is today.”

Consumers Energy is sponsoring the concert. Co-sponsor is Melling Engine Parts Co.

Ticket holders are invited to attend the complimentary and highly acclaimed pre-concert lecture series hosted by Dr. Bruce Brown, JSO’s Composer-in-Residence. Called Backstage Glimpses, the lectures take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Federer Rooms off the main floor lobby in the Potter Center and are sponsored by Allegiance Health.

To order tickets, call 782-3221, ext. 118; visit http://www.jacksonsymphony.org/tickets_events/tickets.html; or stop by the orchestra’s downtown office at 215 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson. Single-show tickets range from $18 to $32. The JSO also is offering passes to the final three concerts of the season at special rates. Subscriptions for the Feb. 4 Let’s Dance!, March 17 Out of This World and May 5 New Age/Cutting Edge concerts range from $40 to $75.