Cal Poly Choirs and Symphony to Present ‘Music of Destiny’ June 7

The Cal Poly Choirs and Cal Poly Symphony will perform music that explores the idea of human destiny at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 7, in Harman Hall in the Performing Arts Center’s Christopher Cohan Center.

The concert will open with Tchaikovsky's overture-fantasy “Romeo and Juliet,” a musical portrayal of Shakespeare's drama of the same name. While the music does not follow the exact sequence of events found in Shakespeare's play, it depicts Friar Lawrence with a religious chant in the woodwinds, Romeo's declaration of love with a soaring melody, and the duel between the Montagues and Capulets with aggressive gestures. It responds to the lovers’ tragic death with a final lament.

Following the overture, the Cal Poly Symphony and choirs will perform music from “Star Wars," by John Williams. Widely considered a groundbreaking film score, the music explores the tragic arc of Anakin Skywalker from young apprentice to Darth Vader. “Knowing we would perform Brahms’ ‘Song of Destiny,’ it occurred to us that we really had to pair it with this music,” said music faculty member David Arrivée, conductor of the symphony. Selections will include the “Main Title,” “Princess Leia’s Theme,” “Imperial March,” “Yoda’s Theme,” and “Battle of the Heroes.” 

After intermission, the combined groups will perform one of Brahms’ most-loved works, “Schicksalslied” (“Song of Destiny”). In 1868, Brahms had recently discovered the poems of Friedrich Hölderlin (1770-1843) and was deeply moved by his “Song of Destiny.” 

“Brahms’ music follows the three strophes — or sections — of Hölderin’s poem,” said music faculty member Thomas Davies, conductor of the Cal Poly Choirs. “The first two reveal the spirits’ peaceful and calm eternal existence. The third strophe deals with the fate of mortals, whose lives are spent in constant turmoil.”

Tickets to the concert are $12 and $14 for the public and $9 and $12 for senior citizens and students. Pricing includes all Performing Arts Center fees, and event parking is sponsored by the PAC. Tickets are sold at the Performing Arts Ticket Office between noon and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To order by phone, call SLO-4TIX (756-4849). 



The concert is sponsored by Cal Poly's College of Liberal Arts, Music Department, and Instructionally Related Activities program. For more information, call the Music Department at 805-756-2406.