{"id":789,"date":"2021-06-27T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-27T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2021\/2021\/06\/27\/american-symphony-orchestra-opus-40\/"},"modified":"2021-06-27T15:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-06-27T15:00:00","slug":"american-symphony-orchestra-opus-40","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2021\/2021\/06\/27\/american-symphony-orchestra-opus-40\/","title":{"rendered":"Members of American Symphony Orchestra Perform at Opus 40"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On June 24, members of the American Symphony Orchestra played Opus 40<\/a> in Woodstock. Winds Among Trees, a wind instrument sextet brought a new layer to experiencing the sculpture park. Both shared a story of creative survival amidst destruction, which made it the perfect time and place for the convergence to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Opus
The sextet blending in the shadows<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Senses Alive<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bright light, contrasting stone and stunning landscapes made for the perfect atmosphere. Placing the band strategically on the artwork itself, allowed for an elevated way of experiencing both the art and the music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A welcomed visual obstruction<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ornate hedges and seemingly innocuous smaller sculptures partially obstructed nearly every view the music and the monolith. Senses were heightened as participants were compelled to be more present, and listening with a more focused ear and eye. As the post-solstice afternoon progressed, the sun started to blare into the eyes of the audience, which made viewers feel like they were part of a progressive performance art piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Opus
Enjoying the experience<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rare Music, Rare Location<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The contrasting stone with all of the afternoon’s light made all the of the artist’s intentions clear. The monolith’s sun dial- like beacon of love was built on an old bluestone quarry after the land had been destroyed by construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beautiful works like this achieved though years of manual labor. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The music played by the sextet was extremely rare in that it is not often played or performed, but also in the idea of it being chosen by the musicians. During shutdown, when all sought-after cultural celebrations of art and music were closed, members of the American Symphony Orchestra<\/a> were given an interesting assignment. Captains were chosen to enlist a team to learn a collection of rare music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Opus
A beautiful venu<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is not common and the idea to perform these collections in different interesting venues made this even more thoughtful. Being able to have creative control as well as the project and accountability hopefully helped some through the incredibly trying time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Opus
Music stands excited they non longer have to socially distance<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Visitors to Opus 40 took away a feeling of gratitude. They felt music in a unique environment during a new beginning for our society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Setlist: <\/strong> Serenade for 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, and 2 Horns (Matyas Seiber),
Sextet No. 1 in Eb (F.H.J. Castil-Blaze), Sextet (Harald Genzmer), Adagio and Rondo (Carl Maria von Weber) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setlist via americansymphony.org <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To see more of what the ASO has done over shutdown, visit their website<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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