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When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.
Tickets: $15 to $75; call 345-0606.
How do you make a classical orchestra relevant in the 21st century?
It could adopt cutting-edge multimedia technology, said James Westwater, whose photochoreography will accompany the Omaha Symphony’s concert this weekend at the Holland Performing Arts Center.
Moreover, Westwater suggests that an orchestra could use that technology to address complex contemporary issues.
For the past 30 years, Westwater has created giant-screen, multi-image photographic essays to show at symphony concerts.
“Music can do wondrous and wonderful things,” said Westwater, who was on the phone from his home in Utah. “But it’s not very good at being specific.”
That’s where Westwater’s photography comes in. This weekend, the Omaha Symphony will project Westwater’s photographic montage “The Eternal Struggle” during its performance of Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait.”
Copland’s masterpiece includes some of the 16th president’s speeches and letters set to music. Lincoln’s words are read by a narrator as the orchestra plays Copland’s sinuous melodies and consonant harmonies. Past narrators of this piece include James Earl Jones, Coretta Scott King, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and Copland himself.
In Omaha, the Rev. John P. Schlegel, president of Creighton University, will read Lincoln’s words.
Westwater’s montage includes photos and portraits of Lincoln. There are also images of war and slavery. The essay ends with photos from the civil rights movement and the contemporary pursuit of justice.
“The issues of freedom and equality dominated Lincoln’s presidency, and they are still relevant today,” Westwater said.
This weekend’s concert will also feature Westwater’s “American Fanfare” to accompany Copland’s most famous piece, “Fanfare for the Common Man.”
Westwater once asked Copland about the meaning of this piece. Was he trying to convey images of steel workers, farmers or other common laborers?
“He said he was just trying to write a fanfare,” Westwater said.
Westwater believes Copland’s music suggests the vast and beautiful American landscape while his essay features scenic, prismatic images of American landmarks.
“These are the things that belong to all Americans,” he said.
Contact the writer:
444-1076, john.pitcher@owh.com
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