Hosanna
Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
Hey Sanna Hosanna
Hey JC, JC won't you smile at me?
Sanna Hosanna
Hey Superstar
~ Rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Let perpetual light shine upon them, O Lord.
~ Requiem, Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Two Superstars
What do Andrew Lloyd Webber and superstar saxophonist Branford Marsalis have in common? They are both legendary “cross-over” artists. Webber’s inimitable style is evident in such disparate genres as his rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar and his liturgically-inspired Requiem. You can hear Webber’s Requiem on the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra’s March 8th O Lyric Voice program.
The ASO is excited to welcome back Branford Marsalis as the headliner for this special concert in our vocally inspired season. When you look at the program, you will see my name listed amongst the composers— I will be conducting, and the ASO will be performing my original composition, Vocalise for Branford Marsalis. I have long been inspired by Marsalis’ extraordinary versatility as an artist, and with Vocalise, I wanted to embody Marsalis’ natural and seamless blending of classical and jazz styles. This piece also strives to express Branford’s sophistication that is always accessible through his intensely melodic style. I wrote Vocalise as a tribute to Marsalis’ highly-charged mastery, sensitivity, and vocality. Upon receiving the score, Branford commented, “It really does sound like me! Way cool.”
Mr. Marsalis will also be performing vocally inspired works by Bach, Ibert and others. Ibert began studying the dramatic arts before turning to music. He believed that music was closely linked to the other arts, and it was simply part of a larger emotional response to all aspects of experience. He was a true “cross-over” artist long before the term was conceived!
The Metropolitan Chorus, the Heritage Signature Chorale, and soloists will be joining the ASO on March 8th for our O Lyric Voice performance, and I will be sharing the podium with acclaimed conductors Barry Hemphill and Stanley Thurston.
With the talents of Branford Marsalis and the voices of our choral partners, O Lyric Voice is a true celebration of the power of lyricism—whether it be sax, symphony… or the voice itself.
See you at the concert!
Kim Allen Kluge
Music Director, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
