Executive Director of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, Martha Buckner, and Conductor Finalist, Isaac Selya stopped by the WRDL Studios on Friday, April 22 to preview the upcoming “Structured Storms: Classical Chaos” performance for the ASO. According the organization’s website, “This program features musical depiction of stormy weather and unsettled emotions, expressed by three composers whose music focused on formal structure. Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture uses undulating string figures to express the rolling waves of the water outside of Fingal’s Cave, Scotland, which inspired the piece. Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings presents stormy passionate music encapsulated in a classical formal structure inspired by Tchaikovsky’s favorite composer, Mozart, whose music closes the program. Mozart’s Symphony No.25 is an example of the Sturm und Drang (“storm and stress”) artistic trend that swept through all the art forms of Europe in the 1770’s. Mozart uses jagged, syncopated rhythms throughout. And although most pieces from the classical era would conclude with a happy ending, Mozart maintains the severe mood and minor tonality all the way to the end.” For a full list of concert and event schedules, please visit www.ashlandsymphony.org/schedule.

(Photo courtesy of Martha Buckner/AshlandSymphony.org)