Alabama Symphony Orchestra Music Director Carlos Izcaray has composed two new works, both of which will be performed during April.
Both his new works – “Requiem” and “88, for Piano and Orchestra” – explore the life and death of two foundational women in Izcaray’s life, according to a statement from the ASO.
In addition to the new works, the ASO will perform works by Debussy, Fauré and other composers.
April 14 and 15 the orchestra and the ASO Chorus will premiere Izcaray’s “Requiem” alongside Brahms’ Fourth Symphony and Fauré’s “Pavane.”
“With this requiem I pay tribute to my dear wife, Yolanda Serafimov, mother of my children, and my best friend,” Izcaray said in the statement. “She lived courageously with grace and was a shining star in our human constellation. Yolanda loved and cherished the ASO family, and they loved her back. I thank them for the opportunity to commemorate her in Alabama, her final resting place.”
Izcaray’s “Requiem” doesn’t only touch on personal loss, but death and loss in regions ravaged by war.
“Each movement focuses on a different perspective on death, inspired mainly by the outpouring of love that was received by my family in our darkest hour,” he said. “As this project evolved, a horrendous war started across the oceans. This requiem’s introduction thus also calls on the listener to set a small prayer or personal thought on behalf of victims of war who couldn’t meet their creator with a dignified end.”
On April 27th, the ASO will present a memorial concert celebrating the life and advocacy of Gloria Narramore Moody. Proceeds from this concert, featuring Music Director Laureate Justin Brown and Izcaray’s other new work, “88, for Piano and Orchestra,” will be added to a bequest from Gloria Moody’s estate to endow the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Flute Chair, currently held by Lisa Wienhold.
Izcaray says his new work is a tribute to Moody, who was his friend and whose vibrant spirit and generosity benefited the ASO and the community at large. The title is a nod to the piano and its 88 keys, as well as a tribute to her 88 years of life.
For information on these and other concerts on the calendar for May, visit alsymphony.org/events for tickets and information or contact the box office at 205-975-2787.
