November 9, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Honoring MLK Through Music

The Santa Monica Symphony’s upcoming concert to pay tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Tabitha Hogue

“Music can change the world because it can change people,” Bono once famously said. So it seems appropriate that the Santa Monica Symphony (SMS) will celebrate with music the legacy of a man who changed the lives of so many. This admission-free SMS concert, part of a weekend of MLK-related events, will take place on Saturday, January 19 at 2 p.m. in SGI Auditorium on Wilshire Boulevard.

The concert will open with the Courage Overture by Adrienne Albert, a contemporary Los Angeles based composer. SMS Conductor and Music Director Guido Lamell knows Ms. Albert personally and said he thought this piece would be the perfect way to open the MLK weekend concert.

“I felt that any piece with the title ‘Courage’ might be appropriate for a concert celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, whom I consider one of the most courageous leaders in all of our history,” Lamell said. “And I was delighted then to check out the music and discover that it had a wonderful, heroic character. It’s a short work, but it sets a celebratory tone for this program and highlights the bravura of the orchestra.”

The orchestra will also be performing Lyric for Strings by the famous African American composer, teacher, and pianist George Walker. According to Lamell, Walker, who passed away last August, was one of the first black students to attend the highly regarded Curtis Conservatory of Music, and was a prolific and celebrated composer whose music should be heard more often.

About the piece, Lamell commented, “It’s a beautiful, beautiful work that’s written for strings alone. It was written after the death of his grandmother and demonstrates his very sophisticated composition talents. It’s a profoundly moving and evocative work. Truly, George Walker ranks among the highest ranks of American composers!”

An arrangement of Wilhelm Steffe’s “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and one of James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing” also feature on the program. The latter is often referred to as the “Black National Anthem,” as it voices the suffering but also the hope, courage, and strength of the African American community in their struggle for freedom and equality. African American baritone Mark Edward Smith, a member of the LA Master Chorale, will perform the solo for this piece.

Having been invited by Lamell to choose one of his favorite arias to sing for the program, Smith will close the first half of the concert with Mozart’s Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen from The Magic Flute. This is one of the most familiar favorites from one of the most popular and enchanting operas of them all.

The MLK Weekend Concert will close with a performance of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 in D Major/D Minor, known as the “Reformation Symphony.” Lamell noted that he selected this symphony chiefly because of the last movement, which is based on the Bach cantata and famous Lutheran hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” In Lamell’s words, “What could possibly be more appropriate for a Martin Luther King program than a symphony based on a Hymn composed by the first Martin Luther almost 500 years ago around the year 1528? It’s a magnificent orchestration and a grand placing of that simple and beautiful hymn.”

For more information about this free and ticketless concert, visit www.smSymphony.org or text or call (310)395-6330.

<>Related Posts

Urth Caffé Heirloom Organic Coffee Wins Best of Santa Monica

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

By Susan Payne A health-conscious coffee shop in Santa Monica is stealing hearts. More than its Matcha teas, Spanish lattes...

Governor Newsom Convenes Special Session to Protect California Rights Against Future Federal Policies

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

Special Session Called To Defend Civil Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Climate Initiatives Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a special session of...

Chinese Chemical Company and Executives Indicted for Allegedly Fueling Fentanyl Crisis in Los Angeles

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

U.S. DOJ Charges Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech and Executives With 13 Counts  A federal grand jury has indicted Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech...

Renewable Energy Group to Host Scenic Hike in Palisades

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

The Route Is Based on a Walk Described as “The Most Scenic of All the City’s Stairwalks.” WRISE Los Angeles,...

“Caterpillar Soup” Returns to Santa Monica Playhouse for 20th Anniversary Performances

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Written and Performed by Lyena Strelkoff, the Autobiographical Production Explores Her Journey After a Paralyzing Fall The critically acclaimed one-woman...

Megacity Review: Genaro Trejo’s Global Platform for Urban Arts and Literature Launches in Los Angeles’ Westside

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Santa Monica, CA – A new voice has arrived on the Los Angeles literary scene with the launch of Megacity...

Film Review: Here

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

FILM REVIEWHERERated PG-13104 MinutesReleased November 1st  Here was directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. This...

Thanksgiving 2024: The Best Places to Order Your Holiday Pies in Los Angeles

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Get Ready for Your Thanksgiving Dinner With the Best Desserts November is the official start of the holiday season and...

The Whaler Celebrates 80 Years as Venice Landmark

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Throughout November, the Whaler Will Feature Drink and Food Specials, Live Music, and Weekend Events The Whaler, a Venice Beach...

November 6 Updates: Malibu Holds Fire at 50 Acres as Schools Close, PCH Reopens

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Crews Contain Brush Fire, Closures In Effect, Power Outages in Malibu The city of Malibu’s website has issued an update...

Architectural Review Board Considers Eight-Story Mixed-Use Project on Wilshire

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

The Development Will Include Studio, One-, and Two-Bedroom Units, 13 of Which Will Be Reserved as Affordable Housing A proposed...

Police Seek Suspect in Vandalism of Jewish-Owned Businesses in L.A.’s Pico-Robertson Neighborhood

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Authorities Investigate Series of Early Morning Attacks as Hate Crime Police are actively searching for a suspect accused of vandalizing...

Latest Santa Monica Election Results as Votes Are Counted in National, State, and Local Races

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Preliminary Results From Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, and National Elections Here are the latest election results, as votes are...

Topanga Canyon Blvd Closed to Non-Residents Due to High Fire Danger

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

Closures Run From Mulholland Drive to Pacific Coast Highway Topanga Canyon Boulevard will be closed to non-residents from Mulholland Drive...