Vermont Symphony Orchestra delivers sounds of the fall

Author: Kaity Potak

This week, instead of bringing the term "thirsty Thursdays" to life, heading down to Two Brothers Tavern or even spending your evening writing a history paper, consider going to the Center for the Arts to see the Vermont Symphony Orchestra's (VSO) "Made in Vermont" concert. This state-sponsored non-profit musical institution was established in 1936 with the goal of "fostering and encouraging the appreciation of music in all its various forms," and of raising the "common standard of musical education and enjoyment." Beginning its tour right here in Middlebury on Sept. 25t, the VSO is offering an impressive program for its Thursday evening performance.

The VSO seems to be a true representative of the Green Mountain State with this fall's principle of celebrating mother nature. With a goal of embracing the changing of the seasons and the beauty that is autumn in Vermont, the VSO will be featuring Antonio Vivaldi's famous concerto series, "The Four Seasons."

Jaime Laredo, the world-renowned violinist who debuted with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra at the age of eleven, will be performing this unparalleled piece of music. As The New Yorker said of him, "He has everything a virtuoso violinist needs. But he has more than that, he is a violinist of profound musicianship."

In addition to the ever-popular Vivaldi work, the VSO plans on continuing its tradition of performing a completely new piece every tour by incorporating composer Pierre Jalbert's "Autumn Rhapsody." The Vermont native and former member of the Vermont Youth Orchestra is considered one of the most well-respected American composers of our time. In keeping with the nature-inspired theme of this concert, Jalbert (pronounced "JAL-burt") says that the natural world is one of his biggest musical inspirations. His 2005 work, "Big Sky," which was performed at Carnegie Hall by the Houston Symphony in January of 2006, was largely crafted in response to Jalbert's trip to Big Bend National Park in Texas, and his chance to witness the phenomenal visual differences between the mountain, desert, and river landscapes there. His translation of the park's incredible aesthetic to musical form was certainly well received, and hailed by The New York Times as "a sprawling, dramatic work rippling with colors."

His appearance at the College is understandably widely anticipated, as Jalbert has garnered further praise from The Philadelphia Inquirer as being "an inspired composer," the kind of musician where "everything he writes sounds inevitable."

If Vivaldi and the offer of "passionate and polished performances" aren't reason enough to wander over to the CFA, perhaps Grieg's eloquent "Holbery Suite" and Gershwin's enchanting "Lullaby" are enough to lure you to, as one supporter of the orchestra said, an "engaging, expressive, and deeply personal" evening of music.

Tickets are available at the Middlebury College box office, online, and by calling 802-443-6433.