University orchestra with concert by Lee Actor

Timpani as a solo instrument
University orchestra plays American program with concerto by Lee Actor

The symphony orchestra of the University of Kassel will be playing a summery and varied program from the USA in its two end-of-semester concerts on 27 and 28 June. The focus will be on a timpani concerto by contemporary composer Lee Actor. The soloist is Ulf Bauer, a timpanist in the university orchestra for many years. The concert, in which the orchestra and soloist will engage in a rhythmic and melodic exchange of blows in a jazzy manner, will also be an impressive demonstration of the symphony orchestra's four new timpani.  
Under the proven musical direction of Malte Steinsiek, works by Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin. Ferde Grofè and Philip Glass.
The "Mississipi Suite" by Grofé (1892-1972) will take listeners on a musical journey along the famous American river, introducing them to Huckleberry Finn, the spirituals of Louisiana and the carnival in New Orleans. A sunrise in the Crand Canyon is also part of the concert program.
George Gershwin's (1898-1937) "Strike Up The Band"  and Leonard Bernstein's (1918-1990) "Divertimento", in which you can hear a turkey staggering around, among other things, offer a good dose of musical humor and tonal diversity.
In contrast, the piece "Facades" by Philip Glass (*1937), one of the best-known representatives of minimal music, has an almost hypnotic effect. The composition unfolds its maelstrom effect through the smallest harmonic and rhythmic changes in the theme, which repeats itself time and again and changes almost imperceptibly.

Dates: Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28, both at 8 p.m. in the Friedenskirche.

Tickets: 12 euros, concessions 6 euros. Advance booking at Bauer & Hieber, Ständeplatz 13. Reservations for the evening box office can also be made via the orchestra's ticket telephone: 0561/499 79 77.

About the soloist: Ulf Bauer was born in Siegen and received lessons in classical percussion from the age of 11. He gained early orchestral experience and later received numerous engagements, including as a soloist. After studying mathematics, he embarked on a career as a software developer and consultant and is now self-employed. Ulf Bauer has been a member of the university orchestra since 2006 and has performed in over 50 concerts since then.

About the conductor: Malte Steinsiek, born in Gütersloh in 1966, has conducted the symphony orchestra of the University of Kassel since 1997 and has also been artistic director of the Westfälische Kammerphilharmonie Gütersloh for many years. In his concert programs, Steinsiek also likes to devote himself to lesser-known composers or compositions. His musical openness and versatility can also be expressed in numbers: to date, he has conducted over 300 orchestral works by almost 150 composers from the Baroque to the present day.

More information:
- Campus news: Timpani as a solo instrument
- Program booklet