Oakland Symphony’s Revised Program for January 21
The Oakland Symphony originally scheduled its Friday, January 21st concert to offer two works by American composers, the Gaelic Symphony by Amy Beach (1867-1944), and the oratorio sanctuary road by contemporary composer Paul Moravec. The latter work is based on the book The Underground Railroad Records by abolitionist William Still, who helped 800 escaped slaves travel safely from the south and avoid arrest. I was eagerly looking forward to hearing both of these works, especially since I had recently heard Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto as well as her Gaelic Symphony on KDFC, the Bay Area’s classical music station. On first hearing, these two works by Amy Beach struck me as endlessly inventive and full of virtuosity and musical surprises. Having never heard any of Amy Beach’s music performed live, I was full of eager anticipation as I approached Oakland’s Paramount Theatre on Friday evening, January 21. -more-
