THE GLORY OF ENGLAND - the Gorge Sinfonietta

The pomp, majesty and beauty of English music have enraptured music lovers for well over a century. Now, local audiences can hear what so many have discovered, as the Gorge Sinfonietta presents The Glory of England on November 17 at 7 PM and November 19 at 2 PM at the Wy’east Middle School Performing Arts Center in Odell.

Sinfonietta conductor Mark Steighner says that The Glory of England focuses on the music of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “This was the so-called second English renaissance, when a new generation of British composers utterly transformed the musical landscape,” Steighner said. “Folk music was rediscovered and world music from as far as Japan found its way into the music of composers like Arthur Sullivan.”

At the heart of the Glory of England program is Gustav Holst’s epic suite for orchestra, The Planets. “The Planets has been called the ‘best piece of English orchestra music ever written.’ It’s hard to overstate how powerful, innovative and influential it is, and has been on later generations of film composers.” The Planets is a musical description of Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. “Holst had just discovered astrology, so the musical identity of each planet is not just based on astronomy, but the mythical character as well.”

The concert also includes the Overture to Pirates of Penzance, Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March #1 (famous at graduation ceremonies everywhere) and selections by George Butterworth and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Steighner said, “All of our programs this season are accessible and easy to love. They’re all great concerts to bring friends and family to, especially those that might not have heard the Sinfonietta or other CGOA ensembles.”
The Glory of England concerts are Friday, November 17 at 7 PM and Sunday, November 19 at 2 PM in the Wy’east Middle School Performing Arts Center in Odell, OR. Tickets are $25 adults ($15 for CGOA members), $5 for youth ages 10-17 and free for kids under 10. $5 tickets are available for SNAP/Oregon Trail card holders. Tickets and more information is available at gorgeorchestra.org

The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and presenting musical performances of the highest quality in the Columbia River Gorge region. With a commitment to artistic excellence and education, the Association brings the joy of music to audiences of all ages.