24-25 Program Book - Flipbook - Page 51
Suite from Far and Away (1992)
JOHN TOWNER WILLIAMS
(b. February 8, 1932)
Far and Away is a 1992 epic American West romantic
adventure film directed by Ron Howard. Starring
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman who were married
at the time, the story is about Irish immigrants
seeking their fortune in 1890s America, eventually
taking part in the Land Run of 1893. The music is
a mixture of traditional Irish instrumentation and
conventional orchestra, with featured performances
by the Irish musical group The Chieftains and a
revised version of the song Book of Days by Enya.
The film received mixed reviews, praising its visual
aspects but critical of the story. Thanks to Williams
and the Chieftains, the music captures fully the Irish
flavor and romantic excitement of land settlement in
the West as portrayed in the story.
Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major for Violin
and Orchestra, Op. 46 (1880)
MAX CHRISTIAN FRIEDRICH BRUCH
(January 6, 1838-October 2, 1920)
German composer and conductor Max Bruch composed his first piece at nine, an
opera at age 20, and then, over the next decade held several prominent music
director positions. He loved folk music as a source of melody, and several of his
compositions have connections to music of other cultures. Composed in Berlin
during the winter of 1879-1880, Scottish Fantasy was dedicated to virtuoso
violinist Pablo de Sarasate. Though Bruch actually visited Scotland for the first
time a year after the work was premiered, he had access to a collection of Scottish
music at the Munich Library in the late 1860s, and quotes several Scottish folk
tunes in the piece.
The first movement begins ominously, with a dramatic entrance of the soloist.
The first theme is built on the folksong “Through the Wood Laddie.” The soloist is
the focus of attention with the orchestra providing general support. This melody
stays relatively intact for the majority of the movement, moving through a variety
of harmonies and textures.
CLASSICAL SERIES GAELIC CELEBRATION 51
