In partnership with the New Bedford Historical Society, the NBSO is back with another fantastic virtual concert! Join us on March 20 from the comfort of your own home as we safely place 23 musicians, Music Director Yaniv Dinur, and guest pianist Joseph Joubert on stage at The Z for a virtual performance featuring four generations of leading African American composers. 

The NBSO is proud to collaborate with the New Bedford Historical Society as they are dedicated to documenting and celebrating the history, legacy, and presence of African Americans, Cape Verdeans, Native Americans, West Indians, and other people of color in New Bedford. In the week leading up to the concert and at the concert itself, the NBSO and the NBHS will present interviews, videos, and other materials on New Bedford’s role in the Underground Railroad, the abolition movement, Frederick Douglass’ rise to prominence, and the Historical Society’s exciting Abolition Row Park project.

The orchestra opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Banner, (see interview with her here) a brilliant rendition of the national anthem interwoven with Lift Every Voice and Sing – often called the Black national anthem. Florence Price’s Andante Cantabile is derived from the second movement of her string quartet and will be performed here in a version for string orchestra. Next up is Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s Grass, an anti-war work for piano, strings, and percussion, featuring guest soloist Joseph Joubert. The piece is based on a poem by Carl Sandburg and refers to the grass growing on the tombs of soldiers. Mr. Joubert has accumulated a long list of accolades as an arranger, orchestrator, Broadway conductor, and music director, and as a pianist has received critical acclaim for his “uncommon tonal beauty.” Mr. Joubert was the first to record this piece. The finale brings Adolphus Hailstork’s Sonata da Chiesa (Church Sonata), a tribute to Baroque music and the composer’s fascination with cathedrals. It moves between exalting rhythms and reflective prayers, symbolizing the different stages of a religious service as well as of human life.

To learn more about the concert music and the musicians, watch our Three To Get Ready video posted on www.nbsymphony.org under the Events / Online Concerts tab.

One listener from a past virtual concert expressed a popular sentiment this way: “The multiple cameras and clever editing with the views of individual musicians, with the stark background of the Zeiterion stage, made us feel like we were right at the concert.” Are virtual concerts the next best thing to being there, or better than being there? Watch and decide! 

Tickets are just $20 per household and are available at nbsymphony.org until 3pm on March 20. Ticket purchasers will receive a link on 3/20 for access via YouTube.com. The concert will be available for viewing from March 20 through April 19, 2021.

Thank you to our Exclusive Concert Sponsor: Robert B. Feingold & Associates, P.C. and our Piano Sponsor: M. Steinert & Sons!

The NBSO is a professional orchestra that annually presents a concert series of classical and pops music as well as an outstanding chamber music series. In addition, the NBSO’s innovative and nationally recognized educational programs reach thousands of students each year in local schools and through open access online. The NBSO is dedicated to building a community of music in the South Coast. Visit nbsymphony.org today! The New Bedford Historical Society seeks to establish a solid base of research and programs that will make the contributions of people of color a part of the life and history of the region as well as a part of the permanent public record. In the process, the history of the region in general will become fuller, deeper, and richer for everyone. Learn more at nbhistoricalsociety.org.