violinist Yuriy Bekker and composer Edward Hart

Edward Hart’s “love letter to South Carolina”—his latest violin concerto formally entitled Under an Indigo Sky—will premier at the Gaillard Auditorium on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Charleston Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Yuriy Bekker (for whom the piece was written) will be featured with the orchestra led by guest conductor Darko Butorac, the Music Director of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra.

In the video below, the soloist and composer talk about their collaboration on this work—and about the 1686 Stradivarius violin that Yuriy will play for this occasion.

Each of the three movements is dedicated to a region of South Carolina: “Fast Flowing Rivers” for Columbia and the Midlands, “Warm Salt Air” for Charleston and the Coast, and “Misty Blue Horizon” for Greenville and the Upstate (see the composer’s notes below).

This CSO Masterworks Series concert will take place at 7:30 P.M. at the Gaillard Auditorium. The program for the concert includes Zoltán Kodály’s Dances of Galánta, Edward Hart’s Under an Indigo Sky, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Opus 92. Learn more at CharlestonSymphony.com.

Notes by the Composer

Under an Indigo Sky
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Written for Yuriy Bekker

It is a privilege to have your music played by an exceptionally gifted musician. It is especially meaningful when that performer is your friend. That is why I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to write this violin concerto for my friend, Yuriy Bekker. Since first meeting some years ago, I have wanted to write him a substantial work not only because we are friends, but because he plays the violin the way I would want to if I could play. In short, he makes all the right musical choices. I am also fortunate that we share much in common as it relates to musical taste and style.

In a way, Under an Indigo Sky is a love letter to my home state, South Carolina. I am continually amazed and thankful for the natural and cultural diversity of this relatively small place. I have attempted to musically capture three distinct yet related regions of our state with an eye not only to the landscapes, but the feel and “soul” of the places.

Movement I
Fast Flowing Rivers –The Midlands
The Broad, Congaree, and Saluda Rivers are an important part of the greater Columbia landscape. At times, especially after heavy rain, these rivers move quickly creating an impressive natural display and an interesting metaphor for Columbia’s role in our state, a place of fast flowing and powerful political, educational, and economic currents. At other times, these rivers can flow gracefully and gently through the countryside reflecting the warm and genteel nature of the people of the Midlands.

Movement II
Warm Salt Air – The Coast
With its coastal location and sub-tropical climate, Coastal South Carolina’s weather can sometimes resemble a warm, wet, briny blanket. Though this might seem uncomfortable to some, these qualities in the right measurements can produce a lush and magical atmosphere. Imagine a May sunset over looking the water with just the right temperature and a sea breeze moving softly through the Palmetto trees.

Movement III
Misty Blue Horizon – The Upstate
The Blue Ridge Mountains, which dominate the Northern horizon, seem to give the Upstate a cool verdant freshness found in no other region of South Carolina. The early morning light offers dramatic vistas filled with broad strokes of blue, green, and purple. This landscape elicits a sense of awe, wonder, and reverent reflection along with a sense of gratitude toward its Creator.

The event, sponsored last night by the Kiawah Island Arts Council, grabbed the eyes, ears, and palettes of more than 120 guests who listened to Edward talk about how he tried to express the character of each wine through music.

A superb quartet—comprising four members of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, led by concertmaster Yuriy Becker—played the pieces as everyone sipped wine and tasted cheeses that Manoli Davani had carefully selected from her Avondale Wine and Cheese shop. Manoli chose a Morbier to accompany the Clos de Braque Bordeaux, a Blue del Moncenisio to complement the Broadbent Madeira Reserve, and a Manchego to match the Tempranillo.

(Did you know that Morbier, with its characteristic line of dark, vegetable ash down the middle, comes from two “harvests” of the cheese: “evening” milk on one side of the ash, and “morning” milk on the other?)

Edward is an Associate Professor of Music at the College of Charleston whose works exhibit an elegant, refreshing combination of classical and modern. His pieces certainly enliven the experience of tasting wine. The third movement in particular—Tempranillo—included lots of fun qualities and unexpected turns, as you will see near the end of the video above.

One lady I spoke with stated adamantly that the event was “genius” and that Edward should take it to wine and music lovers around the country who would surely enjoy this innovative venue as much as we did. And I’m hoping he has some more movements in mind—maybe Burgundy, Shiraz, and Châteauneuf du Pape—so that we get an opportunity to do this again SOON. •

Well, that’s just part of what makes this not your ordinary wine tasting. Or your traditional chamber concert. It’s even better — a Charleston composer’s love of wine expressed musically and interactively. Taste three wines, talk about them, and listen to 3 movements composed specifically for each wine while enjoying superbly paired cheeses from Avondale Wine and Cheese. (What else do you need?)

The idea, initially conceived for Piccolo Spoleto, comes from Dr. Edward Hart, Associate Professor of Music at the College of Charleston, who will host the event at Kiawah on Thursday, Feb 18 at 5:00 PM.

The venue is appropriately titled, Amori Vini — “for the love of wine.” As Edward says, “To my knowledge, this is the only interactive string quartet/wine tasting in existence. Each of the three movements represents a distinct wine and will be preceded by an on-stage and off-stage wine tasting by the musicians and the audience. During the three mini-tastings, everyone will be asked to reflect upon the taste and types of wine. It will be an open, non-scripted dialogue.”

The music will be performed by four of Charleston’s finest musicians from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra: concertmaster Yuriy Bekker, violinist Alan Molina, violist Jan-Marie Joyce, and cellist Natalia Khoma. The movements, named for the wines they reflect, are Bordeaux, Madeira, and Tempranillo.

Edward explains: “I’ve written music that expresses my personal opinion of and experience with these wines. For example, the Madeira movement is slow, sweet, and melodic representing not only the taste of the wine but a recollection of the circumstances around which I have enjoyed this drink.” What does he expect? “I hope the audience will be intrigued and use their imagination, without  being too distracted from the music” — a small likelihood considering the caliber of the musicians.

To reserve your tickets (highly recommended), call Stephanie at the Kiawah Town Hall. Dress will be semi-formal-casual.