Click here to view Erlkönig translation.
BEYOND THE NOTES
West Jordan Symphony invites you to enter the enchanted realm of Mystic Creatures, a concert where music dissolves the boundaries between the real and the fantastical. In this evening’s performance, familiar symphonic landscapes are transformed into shadowy forests, haunted mountains, and mystical realms where legendary creatures dwell and ancient magic stirs. Each piece on the program offers a glimpse into these mysterious worlds, inviting listeners to explore the power of myth and the unknown through sound.
Our journey begins with a work that has stood the test of time: Toccata and Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach. While Bach composed this piece in the early 18th century, it remains timelessly captivating with its bold, dramatic flair. The iconic opening bursts forth like a conjurer revealing ancient secrets, pulling us into a dark, thrilling adventure. The piece’s cinematic quality, echoed through everything from horror films to modern concert halls, perfectly sets the tone for what lies ahead—a night of unraveling mystery.
From the dramatic to the playful, we next find ourselves in the mischievous world of Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This delightful work, made famous by Disney’s Fantasia, tells the tale of a young apprentice who gets more than he bargains for when he meddles with his master’s magic. The music sparkles with wit and energy, vividly illustrating the bumbling apprentice’s battle to control the runaway magic he has unleashed. It’s a charming reminder that even in a world of enchantment, things aren’t always as easy as they seem.
Then, as the sun sets on lighthearted magic, we plunge into the eerie darkness of Modest Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain. Here, witches, spirits, and restless souls gather for a wild nocturnal celebration. Mussorgsky originally conceived this piece as a depiction of a pagan ritual, and through its wild, swirling orchestrations, you can hear the winds whipping across the desolate landscape and feel the sinister energy building with every note. It’s a vivid musical portrait of the supernatural at its most unsettling and exhilarating.
Following this spectral gathering, Franz Schubert’s Erlkönig beckons. The music propels us on a frantic ride through a forest at night, as a father and son desperately try to outrun the chilling figure of the Elf King, a mythical being who whispers irresistible temptations to the child. Schubert’s music, as arranged by Hector Berlioz, captures the breathless tension of the race against time, with its urgent rhythms and shifting voices. Each verse brings us closer to the inevitable, heightening the drama and suspense.
Finally, we close the evening with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a suite originally composed for piano and later orchestrated by Maurice Ravel. While not entirely centered on supernatural creatures, the work brings two mystical figures vividly to life: the grotesque Gnomus and the eerie Hut on Hen’s Legs (Baba Yaga). These movements capture the otherworldly energy of these fantastical beings, while the suite as a whole invites the imagination to soar through musical depictions of art, from grand cathedrals to whimsical sketches. The triumphant finale, The Great Gate of Kyiv, provides a powerful conclusion to our evening, showcasing music’s ability to paint vivid images in our minds.
Tonight, we ask you to let go of the ordinary and dive into the extraordinary. This isn’t just music—it’s a journey into legends and dreams, a night to wander through worlds unseen.
