Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra is pleased to announce its fourth annual “Rhythms of Nature – Percussion, Prose, and Poetry” program, celebrating Whidbey Island’s Earth and Ocean Month.
Admission is free, with donations warmly appreciated.
Since its inception in 2022, Rhythms of Nature has been a distinctive program dedicated to presenting an eclectic mix of chamber music, primarily focused on the percussion family, alongside spoken word performances. Audiences have come to expect the unexpected, and this year’s program promises to continue that tradition with an exciting array of compositions.
The concert will showcase compositions by celebrated composers such as Frederick Rzewski, Javier Álvarez, Samuel Barber and Serge Rachmaninoff.
- To the Earth for Flower Pots and Speaker is an experimental work that explores the intersection of sound, object, and environment. Known for his politically driven compositions and groundbreaking approaches to sound, Rzewski’s piece uses non-traditional instruments, creating a dialogue between the natural and the artificial, the physical and the electronic.
- Témezcal for Maracas and Audio Track highlights Álvarez’s signature use of rhythmic complexity and rich textures, using maracas as the central percussion instrument paired with a carefully crafted audio track. This work explores the fusion of indigenous traditions with modern technological expression, creating a sound world that transcends cultural boundaries.
The program will also feature two Pacific Northwest composers: Rumiana Drumeva from Whidbey Island and Alex Shapiro from San Juan Island.
- Drumeva’s evocative piece, Salish Sea Melody, for violin and keyboard, captures the serene and plaintive beauty of the Salish Sea.
- Shapiro’s composition, Water Voyage for clarinet, bassoon, and audio track, explores the dynamic relationship between music and nature’s rhythms.
Additionally, the concert will feature a unique transcription of art songs by Samuel Barber and Serge Rachmaninoff, performed by a horn ensemble and soprano Eva Nelson.
In a nod to minimalism, the program will also include a performance of Terry Riley’s iconic composition, In C. Widely regarded as the first minimalist work to have a major cultural impact, In C will be interpreted through 53 short melodic fragments, allowing for an improvisational and immersive musical experience.
“The Earth has music for those that listen… Will you?” This invitation to engage with the natural world through music serves as the theme of the event, encouraging attendees to deepen their connection with the environment through the arts.