Portraits in Sound
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On Saturday, October 24, the San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra presents Portraits in Sound, a program of new music inspired by the people who shape us.
Three works offer musical portraits and personal tributes. John Beeman’s Jane Goodall: A Musical Portrait explores the primatologist’s patience, determination, and curiosity through a theme built from the letters of her name. Hussein Al-Nasrawi’s Baba honors his father, Saleh Al-Nasrawi; “Baba” is the Arabic word for father, and the piece celebrates his lively spirit and legacy. Michael Cooke performs as soloist in his Bassoon Concerto No. 1, dedicated with gratitude and esteem to his former University of North Texas bassoon professor, Sue Schreier Bancroft, whose support helped shape his path as both a bassoonist and composer.
The concert also moves through fantasy, poetry, and cosmic scale. From an Alice in Wonderland ballet, SFCCO performs Down the Rabbit Hole, following Alice from a peaceful riverside scene into the strange, locked hallway at the bottom of her fall. Genesis traces the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang through stars, planets, life, and humanity’s development of nuclear weapons. Four Sandburg Poems brings the voice and imagery of Carl Sandburg to the program, while All Hallows’ Eve adds another distinctive musical world.
Portraits in Sound reflects SFCCO’s composer-led approach to new music: bringing composers and audiences together through music and the experiences that led to its creation.
Program
Hussein Al-Nasrawi – BABA
A musical portrait of the composer’s father, Saleh Al-Nasrawi, celebrating his lively spirit and legacy.
John Beeman – Jane Goodall: A Musical Portrait
A portrait of the renowned primatologist, exploring her patience, determination, and curiosity through a theme derived from the letters of her name.
Michael Cooke – Bassoon Concerto No. 1
A tribute to Cooke’s former bassoon professor, Sue Schreier Bancroft, shaped by Vivaldi’s concerto style and the freedom of jazz improvisation.
Kyle Hovatter – Four Sandburg Poems
Four musical settings inspired by the poetry and imagery of Carl Sandburg.
Michael Orlinsky – Down the Rabbit Hole
An opening scene from an Alice in Wonderland ballet, following Alice’s pursuit of the White Rabbit and her descent into a strange new world.
Michael Orlinsky – Genesis
An orchestral creation story tracing the universe from the Big Bang through stars, planets, life, and humanity’s development of nuclear weapons.
Les Thaler – All Hallows’ Eve
A seasonal work that brings a Halloween atmosphere to the program.
Three works offer musical portraits and personal tributes. John Beeman’s Jane Goodall: A Musical Portrait explores the primatologist’s patience, determination, and curiosity through a theme built from the letters of her name. Hussein Al-Nasrawi’s Baba honors his father, Saleh Al-Nasrawi; “Baba” is the Arabic word for father, and the piece celebrates his lively spirit and legacy. Michael Cooke performs as soloist in his Bassoon Concerto No. 1, dedicated with gratitude and esteem to his former University of North Texas bassoon professor, Sue Schreier Bancroft, whose support helped shape his path as both a bassoonist and composer.
The concert also moves through fantasy, poetry, and cosmic scale. From an Alice in Wonderland ballet, SFCCO performs Down the Rabbit Hole, following Alice from a peaceful riverside scene into the strange, locked hallway at the bottom of her fall. Genesis traces the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang through stars, planets, life, and humanity’s development of nuclear weapons. Four Sandburg Poems brings the voice and imagery of Carl Sandburg to the program, while All Hallows’ Eve adds another distinctive musical world.
Portraits in Sound reflects SFCCO’s composer-led approach to new music: bringing composers and audiences together through music and the experiences that led to its creation.
Program
Hussein Al-Nasrawi – BABA
A musical portrait of the composer’s father, Saleh Al-Nasrawi, celebrating his lively spirit and legacy.
John Beeman – Jane Goodall: A Musical Portrait
A portrait of the renowned primatologist, exploring her patience, determination, and curiosity through a theme derived from the letters of her name.
Michael Cooke – Bassoon Concerto No. 1
A tribute to Cooke’s former bassoon professor, Sue Schreier Bancroft, shaped by Vivaldi’s concerto style and the freedom of jazz improvisation.
Kyle Hovatter – Four Sandburg Poems
Four musical settings inspired by the poetry and imagery of Carl Sandburg.
Michael Orlinsky – Down the Rabbit Hole
An opening scene from an Alice in Wonderland ballet, following Alice’s pursuit of the White Rabbit and her descent into a strange new world.
Michael Orlinsky – Genesis
An orchestral creation story tracing the universe from the Big Bang through stars, planets, life, and humanity’s development of nuclear weapons.
Les Thaler – All Hallows’ Eve
A seasonal work that brings a Halloween atmosphere to the program.
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Where is it happening?
St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1135 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherSAN FRANCISCO COMPOSERS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
