The Bucks County Symphony Orchestra bids farewell to its esteemed music director of 20 years, Gary S. Fagin, at its annual Spring Concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Central Bucks High School East in Buckingham. To honor Maestro Fagin’s long and distinguished tenure with the BCSO, the orchestra commissioned him to compose an original work for orchestra, which premieres at the concert. “Bucks County Sojourn: A Valediction in Three Movements,” opens with a “Fanfare,” celebrating the joy Fagin has felt working with the musicians of the Bucks County Symphony. Unlike most fanfares, however, this one ends quietly, reflecting the composer’s wistfulness at saying goodbye to many good friends in this community. The second-movement, “Reverie,” is reflective—sometimes melancholy, sometimes jaunty—speaking to the warmth and embrace Fagin has felt from the entire Bucks County community. The brief introduction to the final movement leads directly to a “Chaconne” theme, which is repeated 24 times, joined occasionally by the “Fanfare” theme, before a brief lyrical section breaks the pattern. The “Chaconne” theme returns again for more iterations until a harp flourish announces the beginning of a joyful “Fugue.” The “Chaconne” and “Fanfare” themes then join the “Fugue” theme for a rousing conclusion. The evening’s featured soloist is New Zealand-born violinist Benjamin Baker, who joins the BCSO in a performance of Max Bruch’s “Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor.” Baker has established a strong international presence, with recent performances as far afield as Lebanon, Albania, Siberia, China, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and throughout the United Kingdom and United States. Currently residing in London, Baker studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal College of Music. The BCSO opens the concert with Johannes Brahms’ “Variations on a Theme” by Haydn. For a triumphant finale, Fagin has selected the“Boléro” by Maurice Ravel. The concert is sponsored by Chris and Whitney Chandor and Rod and Valerie Eastburn. Tickets, $18 in advance ($20 at the door) and $15 for seniors, can be purchased in Doylestown at Rutherford’s Camera Shop and the Doylestown Bookshop, or at BucksCountySymphony.org. Students are admitted free. Call 215-348-7321 or visit the website for information. Masks are encouraged, but not required. Guests are reminded to check Event Information on the Spring Concert page at BucksCountySymphony.org prior to attending the event for updated information.
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