By RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
The Hays Symphony Orchestra is set to perform its Masterworks concert this Saturday evening under the conductorship of Brian Buckstead. The concert, titled “Dark Whimsy,” will feature performances of three pieces of classical music, beginning with “Overture for Orchestra” by Grazyna Bacewicz, followed by “Cello Concerto No. 2” by Dmitry Shostakovich, and Symphony No. 8 by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Buckstead promises his musicians will bring various emotions to the concert when they perform, especially in the second piece.
“Shostakovich’s music is often seen as dark,” he said. “It’s introspective, it’s dramatic, but he often throws in this kind of humorous element as well. He was composing under totalitarian regimes his whole life. The second movement of the concerto is based on a street song that he heard a vendor singing. He took that tune and brought it into this symphony, which brings a lighthearted mood to what is an overall dark and introspective piece.”
The concert, which will be open to the general public, will be performed enthusiastically by the symphony comprised of students, faculty members and people outside of the Fort Hays community.
“It’s a lot of fun to put together,” Buckstead said. “This is a particularly challenging concert musically. It’s been a lot of work to put together, but it’s going to be a really good show, and we hope everyone can be there Saturday night.”
The orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center. More information can be found on HSO’s website.