Haydn’s tuneful and lively “Symphony No. 88” sets the stage for the dramatic power of Mendelssohn’s glorious and jubilant “Hymn of Praise” from “Symphony No. 2.”
Haydn’s Symphony is full of verve and innovation. With its dance-inspired moments and melodies deeply rooted in folk song, it is a concert and recording favorite. Mendelssohn at 200 still thrills and inspires. His glorious “Hymn of Praise,” stands as the composer’s most ambitious symphonic achievement.
Like Beethoven’s 9th, Mendelssohn’s “Hymn” is a superb example of the joining of vocal and instrumental forces to create rich and powerful music in this beautiful cantata that exalts the heavens and hearts. Tenor Matthew Tuell and sopranos Amy Petrongelli and Paige Lucas will join the acclaimed Vanguard Grand Chorus, directed by G. Kevin Dewey, and award-winning Dearborn Symphony Orchestra.
“Hymn of Praise” was composed to mark the 400th anniversary of Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. Instead of dealing with the subject of printing or Gutenberg’s life, however, Mendelssohn focused on the consequences of Gutenberg’s achievement, presenting it as the victory of light over darkness.
Although printing was the excuse for the cantata, the texts, chosen principally from the Bible, praise God and reflect mankind’s progress from darkness to enlightenment. From the opening trombone fanfares to the brisk final fugue, the music displays a dramatic range of color and texture. It is a vigorous, melodic, and jubilant masterpiece, entirely uplifting and inspiring.
To enrich the concert experience, the audience is invited to attend Jim Walters’ insightful and humorous preview of the evening’s music one hour before the concert — 7 p.m., free with a concert ticket.
The Dearborn Symphony has partnered with local restaurants to offer a 20 percent diners’ discount for symphony ticket-holders on concert nights. Advance reservations are recommended at Andiamo Dearborn, La Pita, The Early American Room at the Dearborn Inn, Kiernan’s & Silky’s, Parisian Bistro, and The Grill at The Ritz-Carlton Dearborn.
Friday also kicks off the Dearborn Community Arts Council’s “Fall Into Dearborn” art fair which will take place Saturday and Sunday at the FCPAC. The Dearborn Symphony has partnered with the DCAC during their preview party on Friday to offer “A Taste of Culture” in Studio A at the FCPAC. Attendees will have a preview opportunity to shop juried artists while sampling tastes from around the world.
The Symphony and DCAC offer a 20 percent discount for a joint ticket ($40) that includes the preview party at 5:30 p.m. and the concert at 8 p.m. Symphony season subscribers may also purchase a preview party ticket at 20 percent off ($20) the regular pre-sale price of $25.
Call the symphony office at (313) 565-2424 for tickets —$30 – $15 for adults and $10 for students — or go to www.dearbornsymphony.org. Contact the Symphony office for group discounts. Tickets are also available at the center box office, (313) 943-2354.