UMS Concert Program, January 15, 1983: Duquesne University Tamburitzans --

Season: 104th
Concert: Twenty-sixth
Power Center For The Performing Arts Ann Arbor, Michigan

THE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Duquesne University Tamburitzans
NICHOLAS JORDANOFF
Artistic Director
Saturday Evening, January 15, 1983, at 8:00
Power Center for the Performing Arts
Ann Arbor, Michigan
PROGRAM
Zeleni Juraj ..........................Musical Arrangement: Walter W. Kolar
(Green George) Choreography and Staging: David Vinski
In Croatia, the ritual celebration of the Zeleni Juraj tradition heralds the approach of Spring. The main character, Zeleni Juraj, is decked out in a cloak of greenery, symbolizing the awakening of nature from its long winter sleep.
Entire Company; Green George: Christopher Sobel
To Moro Mou ........................Musical Arrangement: Paul G. Stafura
(Oh, My Sweetheart)
A contemporary popular Greek love song in which the lyrics tell of the tenderness and love that exists between a man and woman.
Soloist: Patricia Dachko
Zbetochnie Roman ....................Musical Arrangement: Michael Moricz
(Sly Roman) Choreography: Richard Hladio
This Ukrainian dance sketch centers on a Hutzul lad of the Carpathian Mountains who meets three shepherds and outwits them. Or docs he
Character Dance Group; Roman: Edward Kolano
Sumadinske Igre .....................Musical Arrangement: George Kresovich
(Dances from Sumadija) Choreography: Nicholas Jordanoff
Perhaps the best known Serbian dances are those which come from the region of Sumadija just south of the capital city of Belgrade. These kolos contain both tiny, carefully choreographed steps along with wide sweeping movements.
Dance Ensemble
Melodie kod Dunava ................Musical Arrangement: Lenny Meledandri
(Melodies along the Danube)
The Danube River forms a boundary between Romania and Bulgaria on its way to the Black Sea. The sounds of the Nai (panpipe) are heard on the Romanian countryside while the plaintive sounds of the Kaval (shepherd's pipe) are heard from Bulgaria.
Soloist: Kimberly Beggs
Twenty-sixth Concert of the 104th Season Twelfth Annual Choice Series
Dalmatinskc Mornarske Pjesme...........Musical Arrangement: Steve Kovacev
(Dalmation Sea Songs)
The sailors and fishermen from Dalmation Sea Coast towns, in their travels throughout the world, sing songs of love, parting, and of yearning to return to their beautiful homeland. Soloists: Daphne Aloerson and Joseph Gornick
Jocuri din Transilvania .................Musical Arrangement: Paul G. Stafura
(Dances of Transylvania) Choreography: James Roncevic
Syncopated rhythmic patterns and rapid music arc characteristic of these Romanian dances from the area of Somes. Included are such dances as Dcalungul, Barbuncul, Sucitoarele, and the twirling Invirtita.
Dance Ensemble
Melodije od Tirol .....................Musical Arrangement: William Dorfner
(Tyrolean Melodies)
Slovenia is a rather mountainous, Alpine region and its music reflects a joyous and harmonious flavor, particularly when it is portrayed by the beloved button accordion in lively polka-type melodies.
Soloists: William Dorfner and Michael Dorfner
Piesni I Tarice Opoczyriskie ...........Musical Arrangement: Lenny Meledandri
(Songs and Dances of Opoczno) Choreography: Ronald C. Galasinski
This Polish suite represents several regional dances peculiar only to Opoczno. It includes the Polka Drobna, the Walczyk, and climaxes with the spirited Oberek, a furious turning couple dance.
Dance Ensemble
INTERMISSION
Trakiiska Svadba .....Musical Arrangement: Paul G. Stafura, William Dorfner
(Thracian Wedding) Choreography and Staging: Nicholas Jordanoff
In a Bulgarian wedding there are all of the traditional rituals: the preparations, the shaving of the groom, the veiling of the bride, and the ever present wedding procession -among all of which there is a wonderful harmony of music, songs, and dances.
Entire Company
Tamburasi Sviraju
(Tambura players are playing)
The Vojvodina, particularly in the region of Backa, has experienced a strong influence in the tambura style of performance from the neighboring Hungarian gypsy musicians. Such an influence is reflected in this medley of folk tunes.
Small Instrumental Group
Cigancica ...........................Musical Arrangement: Ronald Rendulic
(Youthful Gypsy Girl)
"There's a little bit of Gypsy in me; and there's a little bit of Gypsy in all of us." So go the lyrics to this haunting Gypsy-type song . . .
Soloist: Christina Vergot
Smesa Vojvodjanske Igre ..............Musical Arrangement: Walter W. Kolar
(Dances from Vojvodina) Choreography: Nicholas Jordanoff
In the northern tip of Backa in Vojvodina, near the Hungarian border live the people known as Bunjcvci. The men dance with small cymbals on their boots while women engage in twirling movements.
Dance Ensemble
Romanca Rusana .....................Musical Arrangement: Walter W. Kolar
(Aria of Rusana)
From the Croatian opera Mislav by Ivan plemcniti Zajc, this aria tells of the general oppression and difficult times suffered by the peasant people. Rusana petitions the Lord for strength and the light of good fortune for her people.
Soloist: Daphne Alderson
Dedeckovo..............................Musical Arrangement: Rudy Grasha
(Grandfather's Dance) Original Choreography: Czechoslovak State Ensemble
Choreography Adaptation: Nicholas Jordanoff
A humorous Czechoslovak dance sketch in which an old grandfather attempts to keep up with a lively dancing grandmother. He almost makes it through the entire dance . . . Soloists: Edward Kolano and Laurie Belan
Russkaya Narodnaya Pesnya ...........Musical Arrangement: William Dorfner
(A Russian Folk Song)
A simple folk melody forms the basis for this interesting variation on a theme. Supporting the solo accordion are the Russian folk instruments, the domra and the balalaika.
Soloist: William Dorfner
Ukrainskij Vinok ......................Musical Arrangement: Michael Moricz
(Ukrainian Wreath) Choreography and Staging: Richard Hladio
Povzhunets Choreography: Pavel Virsky
The opening song expresses love for the homeland. Several dances follow: Rushnychok, a girls' dance; Povzhunets, a happy men's dance; the traditional Metelytsia by women; and the fiery Hopak.
Entire Company
Duquesne University Tamburitzans
Forty-five years of music, song and dance -that's how long the Tamburitzans of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh have been in existence. The group takes its name from the tamburitza family of stringed instruments indigenous to the folk culture of Southeastern Europe. It exists for the dual purpose of preserving and perpetuating the Eastern European cultural heritage in the United States and offering scholarship opportunities to deserving students. Since 1937 hundreds of students have received more than two million dollars in financial aid.
In August 1947, the Tamburitzans, with an eye toward professionalism, started their annual training camp at Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin, where they spend six weeks every summer producing a new show. Dozens of choreographers and instructors are involved and rehearse the ensemble an average of fourteen hours each day.
During the nine-month academic season, the "Tammies" perform about 100 shows throughout the United States and Canada. In 1950 they began a long line of international travels with three separate tours of Yugoslavia and Italy. Walter W. Kolar took over the directorship of the Tamburitzans in 1952 and, at about the same time, a non-profit, educational and cultural corporation called the "Duquesne University Tamburitzans, Inc." was formed to provide financial and moral support to the musical organization.
After a tour to Europe in 1962, the expertise, popularity, and prestige of the Tamburitzans skyrocketed. The ensemble grew from its original 14 performers to the current number of 40 performers. New and authentic costumes, a wide variety of authentic and contemporary musical instruments, more rigid training programs, research programs -all of these focused national attention on the "Tammies," including the U.S. State Department.
Thus it was in 1968 that the State Department tapped the Tamburitzans to represent the United States as "Goodwill Ambassadors" on a ten-country Latin American tour. Known as "Los Tamburas" in South America, they made an extremely big hit. In 1969 they increased their international acclaim by representing the United States on a goodwill tour to Romania, Poland, and the Soviet Union, this time including Americana in their musical productions. In four out of five recent years, the ensemble has represented the United States on tour.
Of the peoples-represented through their concerts are all of the South Slavs which include the Croatians, Serbians, Slovenes, Macedonians, and Bulgarians, as well as the Hungarians, Romanians, Poles, Ukrainians, the Czechs and Slovaks, and Russians, and many other nationality groups which comprise the Soviet Union.
In 1973 Nicholas Jordanoffbecame the Artistic Director of the performing ensemble and Walter Kolar assumed the directorship of the Duquesne University Tamburitzan Institute of Folk Art.
Ninetieth Ann Arbor May Festival
Four concerts in Hill Auditorium, Wednesday-Saturday, April 27-30
The Philadelphia Orchestra Riccardo Muti, Music Director & Conductor
The Festival Chorus Theo Alcantara, Guest Conductor
KRYSTIAN ZlMERMAN.PMMWf MARY BURGESS, SoprOHO
Gidon Kremer. Violinist Rockwell Blake. Tenor
Carlos Montoya, Guitarist }? Patrick Raftery, Baritone
Wednesday -Muti and Zimerman: Liszt: Les Preludes; Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2;
Prokofiev: "Romeo and Juliet," Suites I and II Thursday -Muti and Kremer: Mendelssohn: "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage" Overture;
Schumann: Violin Concerto; Brahms: Symphony No. 2
Friday Alcantara, Montoya, Festival Chorus, Burgess, Blake, Raftery: Wagner: "Rienzi" Overture; Montoya: "Suite Flamenca"; Orff: "Carmina Burana"
Saturday -Muti, all orchestral: Verdi: "I Vespri Siciliani" Overture; Schumann: Symphony No. 4; Schubert: Symphony No. 9 ("The Great")
Series ticket orders now being accepted: $65, $50, $40, $30.
Santiago Rodriguez, Pianist .................................Thurs. Jan. 27
Marcel Marceau, Mimist ..........................Sat. & Sun. Jan. 29 & 30
HAkan HagegArd, Baritone.....................................Wed. Feb. 9
Guarneri String Quartet....................................Sun. Feb. 13
Pilobolus Dance Theatre .........................Tues. & Wed. Mar. 1 & 2
Belgian Chamber Orchestra and
Miha Pogacnik, Violinist......................................Fri. Mar. 4
Dresden StaatskapelleHerbert Blomstedt.....................Sun. Mar. 6
Ballet Folclorico Nacional de Mexico.......................Tues. Mar. 8
Ali Akbar Khan, Sarod.....................................Thurs. Mar. 10
I Solisti Aquilani and
Gary Karr, Double Bassist....................................Sat. Mar. 12
Faculty Artists Concert (free admission)......................Sun. Mar. 13
Boston Symphony OrchestraSeiji Ozawa.....................Wed. Mar. 16
New Irish Chamber Orchestra and
James Galway. FlutistDirector .................................Fri. Mar. 18
Murray Perahia, Pianist ....................................Thurs. Mar. 24
Michael Lorimer, Guitarist ....................................Sat. Mar. 26
Fitzwilliam String Quartet....................................Fri. Apr. 8
Chicago Symphony OrchestraGeorg Solti..................Thurs. Apr. 14
Joffrey II Dancers ..............................Tues. & Wed. Apr. 19 & 20
90th Annual May Festival............................Wed.-Sat. Apr. 27-30
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GAIL W. RECTOR, President WILBUR K. PIERPONT, Vice President
DOUGLAS D. CRARY, Secretary ALLEN P. BRITTON, Treasurer
PAUL W. McCRACKEN JOHN D. PAUL SARAH GODDARD POWER JOHN W. REED HAROLD T. SHAPIRO LOIS U. STEGEMAN E. THURSTON THIEME JERRY A. WEISBACH
UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY
Burton Memorial Tower, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Phones: (313) 665-3717764-2538