West Point presents recital featuring works by Mozart

WEST POINT-The United States Military Academy Band's Chamber Music Series will present the West Point Clarinet Choir in a recital featuring works by Mozart, Palestrina, Jacob and Schickele in a free pubic concert on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m. at the West Point Jewish Chapel. Meanwhile on Wednesday, Oct. 27, the United States Military Academy Band will present a free concert featuring classic chamber works by Mozart, Strauss and Milhaud at 7:30 p.m. in West Point's Cadet Chapel. Sunday's chamber music program will begin with a work by Renaissance master Giovanni Palestrina entitled Congratulamini Mihi set for eight clarinets. Palestrina was a prolific composer of madrigals, as well as masses, motets and other sacred works. The next piece on the program is the well known Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, or A Little Night Music, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This was originally written for two violins, viola, violoncello and bass and has been arranged for clarinet choir by Sergeant First Class John Parrette. Next on the program is Gordon Jacob's Introduction and Rondo. Jacob, an early twentieth century English composer, had a special affinity for wind instruments, for which he composed a large body of concerti and chamber music. To conclude the recital, the West Point Clarinet Choir will perform Peter Schickele's Monochrome III for nine B-flat clarinets. This unique contemporary work begins with a catchy groove, followed by a rambunctious section. The piece then slows down to a lilting waltz with a sweet melody, and a conclusion of fading dissonances. Captain Tod Addison will conduct the Oct. 27 program. The Academy Band will take advantage of the sonorous acoustics of the beautiful Cadet Chapel as they perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Serenade No. 11 in Eb Major, K. 375. This five-movement work exhibits the craftsmanship that earned Mozart his reputation as a musical genius. The concert will continue with symphonies by French composers Darius Milhaud and Charles Gounod. In contrast, chamber music by German composer Richard Strauss and American composer Alec Wilder will round out the program. For both events, allow extra travel time for the 100 percent vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates. Due to changing security requirements at West Point, call the Academy Band's hotline at (845) 938-2617, or check www.usma.edu/special before leaving for the concert. For concert information, cancellations and updates call the Academy Band's 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617; or visit us on the Internet at http://www.usma.army.mil/band.