NWC News Desk

Northwest Civic Orchestra presents Baroque Christmas concert Saturday, Dec. 11, in Cody

Posted November 29, 2010
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POWELL, Wyo. - The Northwest Civic Orchestra travels to Cody Saturday, Dec. 11, to present a concert of works from the Baroque period highlighting the fusion of orchestra and pipe organ. Many of them are seasonal pieces.

The program begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Cody United Methodist Church, 1405 Beck Ave.

The evening gets underway with Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 8, known as the “Christmas Concerto” because of the composer’s inscription at the beginning of the piece that translates to "Made for the night of Christmas.”  Written in 1690, this work features six contrasting movements, ending with a peaceful pastorale.

It is followed by George Frederic Handel’s Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4, No. 3, first performed in 1735 at the premiere of the composer’s oratorio “Esther.” It features four movements, following a slow-fast-slow-fast structure.

Also on the program is Eugene Ormandy’s arrangement of J.S. Bach’s chorale prelude “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme.” Better known by its translation “Sleepers Awake,” this piece features one of the composer’s most famous melodies.

Adding to the seasonal flavor of the concert, the orchestra will perform arrangements of several old Christmas carols from the Baroque period and earlier.

General admission is $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, and free to students.