2015-2016 Program Notes BSO Pulse: Dr. Dog

BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & DR. DOG Suite from The Soldier’s Tale Igor Stravinsky Members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Feat. The Baltimore Boom Bap Society SET CHANGE interviews with the musicians DR. DOG SET COLLABORATIVE SET Dr. Dog and Members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra ABOUT THE SUITE FROM THE SOLDIER’S TALE Who: Igor Stravinsky, 1882-1971 What: Suite from The Soldier’s Tale, originally a one-act drama in French for small cast and seven-piece orchestral ensemble based on a Russian folk tale. When & Where: Composed in 1918, intended to be a traveling show performing at small venues in post-World War I Switzerland. THE ORIGINAL STORY A soldier is returning home on leave (“The Soldier’s March”). Along the way he stops to noodle on his violin (“Little Tunes by a Stream”). There he is overheard by the Devil himself, who tempts the soldier into trading his violin for riches, with one major side effect: he is forgotten by his family and friends and loses all whom he once loved (“Pastoral”). Wandering alone, the soldier comes upon a palace (“Royal March”), where he finds both the Devil still tormenting him and a sick, bedridden princess. He challenges the Devil to a card game, gambling his riches to win back his violin, and plays it triumphantly in the palace (“Little Concert”). The music revitalizes the ailing princess, who beings to dance (“Three Dances: Tango, Waltz, Ragtime”) and immediately falls in love with her savior. Infuriated by the soldier’s good fortune, the Devil attacks the couple, but is hexed by the sound of the violin into a frenzied dance (“Devil’s Dance”). The Devil vows vengeance, warning the soldier not leave his new royal borders, and the soldier and princess marry (“Grand Chorale”). But the soldier is emboldened by his victory and, tempted by the idea of enjoying his past as well as his present, he ignores the Devil’s warning and brings his new wife to his old village—where the Devil is, of course, waiting to capture him and march him to Hell (“Triumphal March of the Devil”). A NEW STORY We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the Baltimore Boom Bap Society to create a unique and timely narrative to be shared with this timeless music. TAG YOUR #BSOPULSE THE ORCHESTRA: Nicholas Hersh, conductor Qing Lee, violin • David Sheets, bass • Lin Ma, clarinet • Fei Xie, bassoon Andrew Balio, trumpet • Aaron LaVere, trombone • Brian Prechtl, percussion THE BALTIMORE BOOM BAP SOCIETY: DJs: Wendel Patrick • Erik Spangler Emcees: Jasmine Pope • Saleem • Eze Jackson Thank you for supporting this innovative series! BSOpulse.org or 410.783.8000 JOSEPH MEYERHOFF SYMPHONY HALL

2015-2016 Program Notes BSO Pulse: Dr. Dog | Page 3