BRIAN PRECHTL Ubuntu ( World Premiere )
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
• Brian Prechtl is one of the BSO ’ s very own . He has been a percussionist with the symphony since 2003 . He has also taught with the BSO ’ s OrchKids program since 2011 . Prior to his career with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra , Prechtl held positions with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic , Columbus Symphony Orchestra , and Toledo Symphony Orchestra .
• Prechtl was born in Connecticut and studied at the University of Michigan and Temple University . An active composer , Prechtl has had his works premiered at the Grand Teton Music Festival , the Eastman School of Music , and by the Colorado Symphony .
FUN FACT
Brian and his partner Tad have a pit bull named Clarence .
ABOUT THE PIECE
• Ubuntu is a Ngumi Bantu term meaning humanity . It is often translated to “ I am because we are ” or “ humanity toward others .” Ubuntu is a philosophy going back over 2,000 years that celebrates our interdependence as humans .
• Prechtl composed this piece in the midst of the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic . He wrote , “ As I struggled through the grief of being disconnected , it became clear to me that what I most missed was the sense of humanity we experience when we perform together in an ensemble . The absence of this connecting activity made me long for the time we could be back together as a group . As I imagined how good that would feel , this celebratory music poured out of me . And now we get to realize ubuntu together in one joyful voice .”
BSO SESSIONS | APRIL 2021
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