Rundel Video: New York Overture | Media center

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New York is an impressive city with a pulsating life, a melting pot of peoples and religions, and simultaneously the city of immigrants. Names like Chinatown, Little Italy, Harlem, or Greenwich Village attest to this. However, New York is also the city with an unparalleled skyline of skyscrapers.

In his "New York Overture", Kees Vlak (1938-2014) drew inspiration from the music of great American composers Copland, Gershwin, and Bernstein. Motifs from their work run like a thread through the overture.

The overture begins with the landing at Kennedy Airport. Even during the approach, visitors are impressed by the Manhattan skyline ('First view over Manhattan'). In the morning, we visit the 'Battery Park,' the southernmost point of New York. From here, you can walk along the Hudson River, enjoy the view of the harbor, or admire the historic cannons in the park, which were once meant to defend the city. Then, we head into the city.

The '5th Avenue,' surrounded by imposing skyscrapers, is the most important and liveliest shopping street in New York City. 'Saks Fifth Avenue' is the oldest and most exclusive department store in the city. Right next to it is the 'St. Patrick's Cathedral.' The Kennedy family often attended services at this cathedral. We enter it and enjoy the silence of this place of worship. Gregorian chants and the bells from outside fill the air. On our city tour, we next visit 'Harlem' with its predominantly African American population. This is the natural melting pot of jazz, and Harlem is a truly vibrant neighborhood. Jam sessions take place everywhere, and we also find the famous 'Cotton Club,' where all the jazz stars performed. The atmosphere in Harlem can also be intimidating, similar to how Bernstein described it in his 'West Side Story.'

Next, we explore the 'Central Park,' New York's oasis of tranquility amidst the bustling city. The lake is the centerpiece of this famous park. It's a popular meeting place for lovers, but you can also enjoy concerts, rent a boat, or simply go jogging. If you happen to encounter a park ranger on horseback ('The Parkguard'), it may remind you of the Wild West. From here, we continue south to 'Downtown' and eventually reach 'Broadway,' known for its brightly lit theaters, jazz clubs, nightclubs, and dance halls. At 'Roseland Dance City,' two bands even play simultaneously for dancing. Here, you can also hear a Puerto Rican melody.

Finally, we bid farewell to New York. Overwhelmed by all the impressions, we enjoy one last view of the harbor ('New York Bay') and take in the majestic sight of the 'Statue of Liberty.'
 


Grade Level GB: 6-7
Grade Level USA: 4 (Advanced)
Composer: Vlak, Kees
Genre: Concert Piece, Overture
Performance time: 00:10:39
Publisher: Rundel
Size: A4
Info: Full Score + Condensed Score + Parts
Rundel Order Number: MVSR1870
Release Date: 1996