Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will present "Mozart & Ravel" chamber concert on Sunday afternoon at Chattanooga State Community College.
But in addition to the work of those composers, the CSO will play a composition written by Dr. Jonathan McNair, Holmberg Professor of American Music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Conducted by Kayoko Dan, the program will begin with Ravel's "Le Tombeau de Couperin," which is lighthearted and reflective. The piece contains crisp tones, sharp rhythms and subtle inflections that will intrigue the audience.
McNair's "Meditation on Mercy" is for string orchestra.
If you go
› What: “Mozart & Ravel”› Where: Chattanooga State Community College, Humanities Building auditorium, 4501 Amnicola Highway› When: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17› Admission: $15-$28› For more information: 423-267-8583
"It is based primarily upon the Gregorian chant melody 'Kyrie fons bonatatis,' one of many musical settings of the most ancient prayer for mercy in the western Christian liturgical tradition," McNair says in a release from the CSO office.
"The melody is in the Phrygian mode, a very early musical scale, which allows for some interesting harmonic possibilities. As a balance to the sound of this tune, the chant melody for 'Asperges me,' in the Mixolydian mode, was chosen. The text of this melody also addresses the plea for mercy, but in a different way than the Kyrie."
The music moves from quiet, deep introspection to impassioned full orchestra, the composer describes.
Symphony No. 39 was one of Mozart's last compositions. It contains majestic brass fanfares and dramatic developments, creating a truly immersive piece.
For more information: 423-267-8583.