Unusual Timpani Concerto and Tchaikovsky Symphony - Rapid River Magazine Arts & Culture

ASO principal timpanist, Todd Mueller with his mentor March Yancich, principal timpanist of the Atlanta Symphony.

The Asheville Symphony Orchestra will feature two timpanists, two living composers, and one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular symphonies in a Masterworks concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 22 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.

Music Director Daniel Meyer will conduct the Asheville Symphony Orchestra (ASO) in the concert, Tchaikovsky’s 4th. The Tchaikovsky symphony is on the second half of the program. The first half includes Jennifer Higdon’s Machine and James Oliverio’s Dynasty Double Timpani Concerto, which will feature Asheville Symphony principal timpanist Todd Mueller and his mentor, Atlanta Symphony principal timpanist Mark Yancich.

The concerto was written especially for Yancich and his brother Paul Yancich, the principal timpanist of the Cleveland Symphony, and follows their backgrounds, the trajectory of their careers and their musical forebears. Mueller and Mark Yancich will use two sets of five timpani of different sizes, which can be pitched using foot pedals.

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 is regarded as a litmus test for the virtuosity of an orchestra, and is unique in that each family of the orchestra is distinctly highlighted in the work. Higdon’s Machine was originally written to be a series on encores, and according to the composer is a tribute to composers such as Tchaikovsky who seemed like machines because they wrote so many notes and so much music.

Program

HIGDON: Machine

OLIVERIO: Dynasty Timpani Concerto

TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 4

In celebration of Veteran’s Day on Tuesday, November 11, the ASO will offer a special discount to all veterans and active duty military members, who will receive a free ticket with the purchase of one ticket through the Asheville Symphony office. Call (828) 254-7046 for more information.

If You Go: Asheville Symphony presents Tchaikovsky’s 4th, November 22 at 8 p.m. in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Tickets start at $22 for adults and $11 for youth, and are available through the ASO office or the U.S. Cellular Center ticket office. Details at www.ashevillesymphony.org or call (828) 254-7046.