Dallas Symphony Orchestra Premieres Sean Shepherd’s Quadruple Concerto
Composer and trained bassoonist Sean Shepherd composes a new concerto for the four principal woodwind chairs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Fabio Luisi leads the world premiere of Quadruple Concerto in April.
Acclaimed composer Sean Shepherd, praised by The New York Times for his “fantastic gift for orchestral color,” unveils a dynamic new concerto spotlighting the four woodwind principals of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra: David Buck, flute; Erin Hannigan, oboe; Gregory Raden, clarinet; and Ted Soluri, bassoon.
Led by Fabio Luisi, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents the world premiere of Shepherd’s Quadruple Concerto from April 17–19 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
World Premiere: Sean Shepherd, Quadruple Concerto
April 17–19, Meyerson Symphony Center
Dallas Symphony Orchestra | Fabio Luisi, conductor
Event info
A "Woodwind Dream Team"
A trained bassoonist himself, Shepherd embraced the opportunity to compose for this exceptional ensemble of players, which he calls his “Woodwind Dream Team.” Reflecting on the unique role of woodwind principals in an orchestra, he explains:
“Each of these individuals is a major musical contributor, leading their own sections and constantly in musical contact with each other, negotiating tuning, balance, color and at least one of them providing some solo commentary in nearly every piece of music written for orchestra since the 18th century—they are the intimate personal voice of the composer when it comes to the orchestra.”
Structure
Quadruple Concerto, approximately 22 minutes long, is composed in three movements:
I. Strolling Treble
II. Heavy Machinery
III. Ganymede.
Regarding the inspiration behind the final movement, Shepherd shares:
“Ganymede was, according to Homer, the ‘loveliest born of the race of mortals, and therefore the gods caught him away to themselves, to be Zeus' wine-pourer, for the sake of his beauty, so he might be among the immortals.’ We may each decide for ourselves whether or not this is a happy outcome for the hero of the third movement, but that Ganymede, the gentle giant and largest of Jupiter’s 95 moons, may also be a beautiful and rich source for musical reflection isn’t lost on me.”
Musical Influences: Mozart, Beethoven, and the Baroque
Shepherd’s Quadruple Concerto draws on music of the past, including Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante—which features a similar grouping of wind soloists—and the Italian Baroque Concerto. The title itself pays homage to Beethoven’s Triple Concerto (often referred to as the “Beethoven Triple”). He states:
_“One can reflect on the Italian Baroque concerto, in which the ripieno (padding! by which we mean both the full orchestra and the music they provide) is crucial to the structure of the piece, or Mozart’s perfectly charming Sinfonia Concertante, so typically full of character to match the virtuosity flowing from the composer’s quill pen and into the musicians’ hands.” _
Upcoming Orchestral Performances
Later this season, Cristian Macelaru and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform Shepherd’s orchestral work Sprout, a piece inspired by the earth’s resilience in the face of climate change (May 30–June 1).
Concert Information
Thursday, April 17 at 7:30pm CST
Friday, April 18 at 7:30pm CST
Saturday, April 19 at 7:30pm CST
Meyerson Symphony Center | Dallas
More info
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Fabio Luisi, conductor
David Buck, flute
Erin Hannigan, oboe
Gregory Raden, clarinet
Ted Soluri, bassoon
ROBERT XAVIER RODRÍGUEZ Adagio for Small Orchestra
SEAN SHEPHERD Quadruple Concerto
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3 in A minor, “Scottish”
> Further information on Work: Quadruple Concerto
Photo: Jennifer Taylor