Tulsa Symphony Orchestra Presents The Herbert and Roseline Gussman Concert

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Tulsa Symphony Orchestra will conclude its 2009-2010 season, "Hear the World with Tulsa Symphony Orchestra," with the second annual Herbert and Roseline Gussman Concert featuring music from, and inspired by, Spain and Latin America.  The concert will be held on Saturday, May 1 , 2010, 7:30 p.m., in Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center (PAC).  The concert features the orchestra under the baton of Maestro James Bagwell as he leads the orchestra through works by Chabrier, Revueltas, Moncayo, Piazolla, Ginastera and Falla.

The arrival of the Spanish colonists and their music heralded the beginning of Latin American music as we know it.  At the time the Moors of North Africa inhabited parts of Spain and, along with the Romans, Jews and Spanish Christians, combined their traditions to the region as well.  From France, Spain adopted the troubadour tradition which became a major part of Spanish culture.  The décima format remains an important part of Latin music and is included in corridos (narrative songs, popular in Mexico), bolero (Cuban-influenced romantic music), and vallenato (Caribbean-inspired folk music).

Chabrier's España was written after a tour of Spain.  The Frenchman's letters during his travels are full of good humor, keen observation and his reactions to the music and dance he encountered.  In Sensamaya, Revueltas drew his inspiration from Afro-Cuban religious groups, which were self-organized social clubs for the African slaves.  Huapango is a well-known piece by Moncayo.  The huapango is the name of a Mexican musical form and the accompanying dance of Spanish origin that is especially popular along the Gulf of Mexico.  Piazolla was an Argentine tango composer whose Oblivion revolutionized the traditional tango by creating Nuevo Tango, incorporating jazz and classical music.  The ballet Danses from Estancia, based on Argentine country life, was commissioned in 1941, with Ginastera basing his score on the epic poem Martín Fierro by José Hernández.  One of Falla's best known ballets is the story of El Sombrero de Tres Picos (Three Corner Hat) about a magistrate who has become infatuated with a miller's faithful wife and attempts to seduce her.

James Bagwell maintains an active schedule as a conductor of choral, operatic, and orchestral literature.  Familiar to Tulsans after receiving critical praise for his work as Music Director of Light Opera Oklahoma, he has conducted the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Hudson Valley Philharmonic and the Asheville (NC) Symphony, working with such notable conductors as Raymond Leppard, James Conlon, Christof Perick, Imre Pallo, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, Erich Kunzel, and Robert Shaw.

Herbert and Roseline Gussman were ardent supporters of the arts in Tulsa.  The two met at Cornell University, married and settled in Roseline's hometown of Tulsa.  Herb and his father-in-law, I. Nadel, founded Nadel and Gussman, which became a pioneering and successful producer of oil and gas in the region.  Herbert and Roseline's contributions to the visual arts include outstanding collections at the Philbrook Museum of Art as well as endowing the annual Gussman Student Art Exhibition at the University of Tulsa.  After his family, Herb Gussman's love was music.  He studied classical piano at The Julliard School and later jazz piano with his friend and mentor Teddy Wilson.  With Burch Mayo, he founded the Tulsa Philharmonic in 1947-48.  His friendships in the world of music included Isaac Stern, Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Istomin, Jan Pierce and Vladimir Golschman, all of whom would stay and practice at his home when they came to Tulsa.  The grandchildren of Roseline and Herbert Gussman present this concert in celebration of their grandparents' love of music and their indelible gifts to the musical life of Tulsa.

Now in its fourth season, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra has consistently received critical acclaim for its performances, and is recognized as the keystone of the arts in Tulsa.  The orchestra has become noted for its eclectic approach to programming, combining an array of classical, light classical and popular works throughout the season.  In addition to TSO's six concert subscription series, the orchestra also accompanies Tulsa Ballet and Tulsa Oratorio Chorus.  Many TSO musicians also perform in the orchestra for Tulsa Opera and Light Opera Oklahoma productions.