Birmingham Concerto No.1 is a significant move in an ongoing commitment to create a catalogue of contemporary Classical art music “home-grown” in Alabama. Birmingham Concerto I is the culmination of about twenty months of work from the advent of the concept to the debut performance. In the summer of 2023, Music Director Carlos Izcaray and I began to be interested in commissioning new works that will function as companion pieces to five of J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerti. This number of companion pieces is significant because an illustrious prototype for pairing Bach with a new piece has been around for almost 100 years.

This existing (sixth) companion is Stravinsky’s Concerto in E-flat, inscribed “Dumbarton Oaks.” “Dumbarton Oaks” was commissioned in 1937 by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, an eminent American couple who held salon events regularly at their Washington, D.C. estate, named Dumbarton Oaks. Igor Stravinsky wrote “Dumbarton Oaks” to function as a companion to Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. He hoped the piece would inspire new appreciation for the old master (Bach), and he intended the piece as a gesture of respect, a love letter, to Bach. Bach can easily be regarded as the father of Western music as his mastery of fugal textures and contrapuntal writing is imitated daily while seldom matched.

Birmingham Concerto I is a part of ASO’s multi-year exploration of the Brandenburg Concertos. In recent years, the orchestra has offered Concertos Nos. 2 and 6. For our December 5 concert, we offer Brandenburg No. 5 with its complement (Birmingham No. 1), both of which feature performances by Concertmaster Daniel Szasz and Principal Flautist Lisa Wienhold. The Orchestra is joined by guest keyboardist Dr. Lester Seigel on harpsichord.

It is our hope over the next few seasons to offer Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1 and 4 as well as to commission companions for these pieces. Eventually the orchestra would like to offer the six Brandenburg Concerti, three newly composed Birmingham Concerti, and “Dumbarton Oaks” in festive concert together at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. The continued championing of our artistic endeavors by the Mr. and Mrs. William J. Rushton, IV Sound Investment Series will be invaluable as we achieve these goals.

– Clay A. McCollum, Director of Artistic Administration

Word of Thanks

I am elated to once again work with my amazing hometown artistic collaborators, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. It has been an honor to be a part of many beautiful concerts, projects, and initiatives that continue to enhance the artistic vibrancy of our Birmingham community. This season, I’d like to extend a special thanks to the members of the Mr. and Mrs. William J. Rushton, IV Sound Investment Series for their support in bringing our new work, Birmingham Concerto No. 1, to fruition. Thank you to ASO President Mark Patrick, Music Director Carlos Izcaray, musicians, staff, and patrons who continue to bring world class experiences to our region.

– Brian Raphael Nabors