On Sunday, February 12, at 7 p.m., Illinois State University faculty composer Carl Schimmel, along with faculty cellist Adriana Ransom, and the Illinois State University Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of There Was, and There Was Not.
The piece, a solo cello concerto, was written for Ransom, orchestra director Glenn Block, and Illinois State’s Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra will also present Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major, commonly referred to as the Jupiter Symphony.
Of his composition, Schimmel states, “the title of the composition is a phrase which begins fairy tales in some eastern European cultures, akin to ‘Once Upon a Time.’” Schimmel chose this title to reflect the nature of the song itself. In the first movement, the Hero, depicted by the solo cellist, is cursed by the Villain. The Hero vows to relieve the curse, eventually defeating the Villain in a triumphant battle. The curse, however, still plagues the Hero, awaiting the completion of the final quest. The piece ends with a transformation, the Hero is turned back into his (or her) true form, weds, and lives happily ever after.
In 12 movements, the accompanying orchestra portrays a wide variety of characters, from the Villain to a sorcerer and anything in between.
Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony was the last symphony that the prolific composer wrote before his untimely death at the age of 35. The piece is atypical for the time, showing an unusual amount of energy and grandeur for the Classical Period. German concert organizer, Johann Peter Salomon dubbed it the Jupiter Symphony, referencing the powerful Roman god of the same name.
Composed in the summer of 1788, just three years before Mozart’s death, Symphony No. 41 is speculated to have been intended as part of a larger collection of works to be presented in a large concert format.
The concert will be held in the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts, located at 351 S. School St., Normal. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for faculty/staff, and $6 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the CPA box office or on ticketmaster.
