Auburn Symphony presents North American premiere

Prepare for a premiere! On Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21 and 22, Auburn Symphony's new Concertmaster Chase Spruill will present the North American premiere of composer Michael Nyman's Violin Concerto No. 2. Spruill has gained a far-reaching reputation as a performer of contemporary music, interpreting minimalist masters such as Philip Glass, Henryk Gorecki and Nyman. As guest artist for the concerts, Spruill is thrilled to be playing Nyman's concerto for Auburn audiences. "I've carried the score, the idea and the dream of doing this piece around with me for years, and waited for the right time," Spruill said. "Now is that time. What a dream come true to get to do this piece by a living composer right now and with these musicians in the Auburn Symphony with Maestro Ryan Murray at the helm." Spruill became familiar with, and a fan of, Nyman's work through his soundtrack for the movie "The Piano." He has worked with Nyman at times through the years since 2009 and premiered some of his chamber music on the East Coast. For his debut album in 2019, with Supertrain Records, Spruill played Nyman's entire "Yamamoto Perpetuo for Solo Violin." So, Spruill said, his preparation for the premiere of Nyman's Violin Concerto No. 2 feels like a continuation of his collaboration with the composer. "I guess you could say that this process has been ongoing for years," Spruill said. "I have some history with this music now and I've seen, heard and been part of some of its transformations, so really, there's the technical work of playing this ferocious, infectiously rhythmic piece, but then there's the thinking work and making really careful decisions for the score and having lots of communication with the maestro about it." The symphony's January concerts include works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Dvorak. To provide insights on all the program selections, Maestro Murray and Spruill will give pre-concert talks at each performance. "I think it'll be helpful for people to know the concerto has its roots in film music but also that the language of Nyman's music is really specific," Spruill said. "Nyman once described his particular brand of music as 'Mozart meets Jerry Lee Lewis.' " AUBURN SYMPHONY What: Masterworks Series: Concert II – Symphonic Journey When: Saturday, Jan. 21. Pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m., concert at 7:30. Sunday, Jan. 22. Pre-concert talk at 2:15 p.m., concert at 3. Where: Placer High School Auditorium, High and Agard streets, Auburn Program: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Ballade in A minor; Michael Newman, Violin Concerto No 2; Dvorak, Symphony No 7 in D minor. Tickets: $50, $45, $35; under 18 years, $20. Tickets available at the door, but pre-concert ticket purchase is advised.