TERRE HAUTE — The Indiana State University Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Tilson Auditorium.
The highlight of the evening will be the Indiana premier performance of Judith Lang Zaimont’s concerto for piano and wind orchestra “Solar Traveller,” performed by the Wind Orchestra, under the direction of John Boyd, and will feature Ja-Sing Lin as the piano soloist. The piece was commissioned in part by Kappa Kappa Psi, Lambda Lambda chapter and Indiana State University bands.
Inspired by the vastness, wonder and beauty of sky and space, the “Solar Traveller” concerto features three movements: “Outward Bound,” “Nocturne (Lunar),” and “Ad astra per aspera.” Across the three movements, both soloist and the ensemble experience the long-term compressive forces of space flight in musical terms: the kernel of each movement is a progressively smaller musical interval, closing by movement from a third, to a second, down to pounding unisons in the final movement.
Zaimont is an internationally recognized composer with a catalogue of some 100 works, many of which are prize-winning compositions. Her many composition awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship (1983-84); Maryland State Arts Council creative fellowship (1986-87); commission grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (1982); 2003 Aaron Copland Award; 2005-06 Artists Fellowship from the Bush Foundation; and the 2006-07 Kaplan Foundation wind ensemble commission.
Born in Taichung, Taiwan, Lin graduated from the National Institute of Arts where he studied under Boris Lvov, Sergio Fiorentino, Sung-Jen Hsu and Mei-Ling Wang. He is currently studying with Frank Weinstock, chairman of the piano department and associate dean at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has performed as soloist with the Central Philharmonic Orchestra in Beijing, the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, the Taiwan National Symphony Orchestra, the National Institute of the Arts Chamber Orchestra, and the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra.
The orchestra also will perform “In Exuberant Celebration” by Roger Cinchy.
The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Doug Keiser, will perform “Moorside March” by Gustav Holst, Andrew Boysen Jr.’s “Symphony No.4,” and two traditional works by Alfred Reed, “Greensleeves” and “Russian Christmas Music.”
The concert is free. A reception hosted by Kappa Kappa Psi will follow. Contact the music department at (812) 237-2771 for more information.
