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NMPhil to ring in the holidays with a duo of concerts
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The New Mexico Philharmonic is opening the holidays with a blizzard of music.
On Friday, Dec. 13, the musicians will perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Gran Partita" at First United Methodist Church.
Composed in 1781, this serenade for wind instruments was used in the 1984 film "Amadeus," in the TV show "How I Met Your Mother," in the 2009 film "Bright Star" and in the TV series "The West Wing." The instruments include oboes, clarinets, the bassoon and the French horn.
"It's a substantial piece," said Roberto Minczuk, conductor and music director. "It's 45 minutes long. He considered it one of his most important works. He composed for all the musical instruments of the time."
The concert's second half features works by Gina Gillie, Howard Blake, Anthony DiLorenzo and J.S. Bach's "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" or "Sleepers Awake."
"It's very festive music, ending with a selection of holiday music," Minczuk said.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the orchestra will present its annual pops "Home for the Holidays" concert at Popejoy Hall.
Audience members can sing along to “Sleigh Ride,” "Jingle Bells," “Carol of the Bells” and the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from "The Nutcracker," as well as three John Williams songs from the movie "Home Alone."
The musicians also have gathered students from the Manzano Day School Chorus, the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, the Bosque School Choir, the V. Sue Cleveland Choir and the Moriarty High School Choir.
"They are songs that people love to hear," Minczuk said. "It's always sold out."
