Johann Strauss II - An Der Schonen Blauen Donau (On the Blue Danube)
Anna Clyne - “Dance” ft. Gabriel Martins, cello
Howard Shore - The Lord of the Rings Suite, arr. John Whitney
Edvard Grieg - Peer Gynt Suites No. 1 & 2
Dance is one of humanity’s oldest forms of storytelling - a way to celebrate, imagine, and connect. This concert brings together music inspired by movement, literature, fantasy, and adventure, combining the elegance of Viennese ballrooms to the epic journeys of Middle-earth; from mystical poetry to the halls of the Mountain King.
Few melodies are more recognizable than Johann Strauss II’s On the Beautiful Blue Danube. Graceful, sparkling, and endlessly charming, this iconic waltz became a symbol of 19th-century Vienna and remains one of the most beloved orchestral works ever written.
Contemporary composer Anna Clyne brings a very different kind of dance in her powerful work for solo cello and orchestra - DANCE. The S.O. is joined by award-winning cellist and soloist, Gabriel Martins, who now calls Charleston home! Inspired by the poetry of Rumi, it is emotional, atmospheric, and deeply human. The piece unfolds in five movements drawn directly from Rumi’s text:
when you’re broken open
if you’ve torn the bandage off
in the middle of the fighting
in your blood
when you’re perfectly free
The journey continues into The Lord of the Rings with music by Howard Shore, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of the legendary film trilogy. From the whimsical, folksy nature of the Shire to the terrifying power of Mordor, this music has become one of the defining cinematic soundscapes of our time - heroic, emotional, and unforgettable.
The concert concludes with the suites from Edvard Grieg’s incidental music to Peer Gynt, Henrik Ibsen’s fantastical play about adventure, trolls, mischief, and self-discovery. Featuring the serene, relaxing nature of “Morning Mood,” and the iconic and energetic “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” Grieg’s music is some of the most famous, vivid, and imaginative orchestral storytelling ever written. Fun fact - did you know that “In the Hall of the Mountain King” inspired the theme for the 1980s cartoon “Inspector Gadget?”