The Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra is preparing a concert of three orchestral works on the theme of “Earth and Space,” and one might say “the Force is strong with this one.”
The program will include a world premiere from composer Christian Kriegeskotte, whose many film and television credits include working on John William’s scoring for “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.” In addition to contributing to film projects by renowned composers such as Danny Elfman and preparing music for seasons of such celebrated series as “The Simpsons,” Kriegeskotte’s compositions have been featured by many musical ensembles across the country.
In his third season as the symphony’s music director, Ming Luke, speaks enthusiastically about his programming in a manner that engages musical novices and regular symphony-goers alike.
“It’s an occasion to celebrate that we will premiere a piece by such an esteemed composer,” Luke notes.
He describes Kriegeskotte’s premiere piece “The Wind is Causing the Stars to Sway” as “energetic, tuneful, and almost cinematic.”
Contrastingly, the second piece of the program has an almost improvisational feel. Pianist, composer, and musicologist Heather Pinkham will travel from Amsterdam to play in her piano concerto “Nowhere and No-when.” It begins with a recording of oscillating sounds captured from space, and develops into atmospheric, distinct melodies explored by the full ensemble. It is elegant, mysterious, and grand.
Luke conducted the piece for its 2019 world premiere in California. It reflects on Fermi’s paradox, which Pinkham describes as “the apparent contradiction between the high probability of intelligent extra-terrestrial life and the lack of evidence supporting it.”
The concert will conclude with an award-winning work by the orchestra’s principal trumpet player and New Mexico State University professor, Dr. Jacob Dalager. He performed his driven, modern, brass-heavy “3futures” with the Austin Symphony Orchestra in 2019. It took second prize at the 2022 Music International Grand Prix and received honorable mention in the 2023 American Prize Competition.
Dalager’s three-movement piece depicts three outlooks on the climate crisis. The theme results in music that is in moments contemplative, ominous, tranquil, and heroic, allowing listeners to ruminate on the condition and the destiny of Earth. Grammy-nominated sound engineer David Bowles will be traveling to Las Cruces to record the performance of the trumpet concerto for a CD release.
“We want members of our community to be creating their own projects, developing community,” Ming explains. “Our guest artists ignite the enthusiasm to create in others.”
Each of these acclaimed musicians with decades of experience in various aspects of the music business will interact with students of the university music department and participants in the symphony’s youth programs. Educational outreach has long been central to the organization, and the opportunity to learn from musicians with multi-faceted careers is invaluable.
The recently formed Las Cruces Symphony Junior Orchestra is open to all seventh and eighth graders, while the Las Cruces Symphony Youth Orchestra accepts all high school students. Neither ensemble requires auditions, and both are committed to high-quality education at an annual cost of only $25 due to donor support.
When asked to compare the three featured modern composer’s works, Luke demonstrates the electric, lecture-quality insights that he includes in his concerts. “In past orchestral music - in Mozart’s time, for example - there was a definitive style. It’s harder to distinguish between contemporary composers of that time,” Luke explains. “But when we look at current composers of classical music, they are so diverse. This program brings together three inspiring composers with pieces that reflect their unique backgrounds, expertise, and personalities.”
This concert is Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $44 to $64. The office can be reached at 575-646-3709. Tickets or further information are available at www.lascrucessymphony.com.
