Enter the flow state.

It’s the summer of 1889, and Antonín Dvořák is on fire. He’s just about to begin composing what would become his eighth symphony, and he writes to his friend with unabashed confidence: “It’s going unexpectedly easily… the melodies simply pour out of me!” Our February concert features melodically bold music from three centuries. Cerón’s “A la caída de la tarde” (At the End of the Afternoon) is a beautifully nostalgic and flowing soundscape from the Dominican classical tradition. Music Director Chris Whittaker presents a new violin concerto for former WHCO-concertmaster Amos Fayette. The concert concludes with the sublime and melodious 8th Symphony of Dvořák.

On Saturday, Friends of WHCO join us for a post-concert reception featuring a local beer tasting.

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Program

José Dolores Cerón: A la caída de la tarde
Chris Whittaker: Violin Concerto featuring Amos Fayette
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G, Op. 88

Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra
Chris Whittaker, Music Director
Amos Fayette, Violin

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Tickets

Adults $5 in advance / $7 at the door
Kids ages 17 and under FREE
Young listeners welcome!

Times & Locations

7:00pm Friday, February 7, 2020
George Washington Educational Campus
549 Audubon Ave. New York, NY 10040

3:00pm Saturday, February 8, 2020
Fort Washington Collegiate Church
729 W. 181st St. New York, NY 10033
Followed by post-concert reception for
Friends of WHCO.

In Detail

José Dolores Cerón(1897 - 1969) As a composer, Cerón is best known for his symphonic poems, such as A la Caida de la Tarde (In the Late Afternoon), Iguanona, Enriquillo and Las Virgens de Galindo (Galindo’s Virgins). In regards to his music - Dominican singer and musicologist Inchaustegui Aristides wrote: “Cerón was one of the finest melodists the country had.” (Source: Music Art of Caribbean Latin America)

Cerón was a renowned musician, doctor, and lawyer from the Dominican Republic. He began his musical studies with Arturo Senior, studying harmony and composition with Esteban Peña Morel, and continuing his work with José de Jesús Raveló. He also studied bass and cello with Spanish professor Cándido Castellanos. In 1925 Cerón was named assistant director of the Banda de Música del Ejército Nacional (National Band of the Armed Forces), later becoming its director in 1930. Under his leadership it became the best concert band in the country. As a symphonic composer, Cerón was especially interested in the indigenous roots of the Dominican Republic. The melody of A La Caída De La Tarde navigates the work as a “leitmotif” meant to represent a Dominican dusk. Ceron’s lush orchestral textures in this piece recalls the sounds of impressionism and romanticism.

A world premiere by
Chris Whittaker & Amos Fayette

Long time collaborators, composer/conductor Chris Whittaker and violinist Amos Fayette co-founded the WHCO together in 2015. Their music history dates back to 2006 when as students at the Peabody Conservatory, Chris wrote a violin sonata that Amos premiered and recorded. Take a listen to a piece of their first collaboration, setting the stage for a new Violin Concerto on February 7th and 8th:

Praised for his touching subtleties and nuances, Violinist Amos Fayette enjoys a diverse career as a performer, educator, and administrator.  Mr. Fayette was born into a musical family in Wading River, NY.  He started his musical studies with his mother at the age of 2, making his solo debut at the age of 8, and joining the ranks of the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division at age 12.  His formal education was completed at the Peabody Conservatory and The Juilliard School with Pamela Frank and Ron Copes respectively.  

Mr. Fayette’s orchestral career spans 4 continents and includes appearances with many of the world’s leading conductors.  He has performed as concertmaster with Michael Tilson Thomas, Alasdair Neale, Michael Francis, and Timothy Hankewich in venues ranging from The Tanglewood Music Center to Orchestra Iowa.  He is the founding concertmaster of the Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra and has served as guest concertmaster for the Illinois Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, and Orchestra Iowa.  

In demand as a solo performer, Mr. Fayette’s recent engagements include performances with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, appearances at La Chaillol and Le Vigan in France, and recital presentations at the Dover Public Library, The Biggs Museum for American Art, and on Delaware's Coastal Concerts Series.  He has performed concertos with the New World Symphony, Orquesta Filarmonica de Medellin, Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra, and many others.  Notable collaborations include performances with David Ballesteros, David Quiggle, and Sergio Posada.  

Mr. Fayette currently serves as the Milford Branch Director for The Music School of Delaware, the only state-wide and nationally-accredited community music school in the United States.  His violin was crafted in 2012 by Edward Maday.