Ryan Haskin

In this episode of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra Radio Hour, you will hear the music of Marianna Martines, Missy Mazzolli, and Bobby Ge, the 2023 Sioux City Symphony Composer of the Year. A child prodigy, Marianna Martines, born in 1744, was introduced to Vienna's musical elite, including influential figures like Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Despite the challenges of being a female composer in a male-dominated field, Martines' elegant melodies and sophisticated compositions earned her a respected place in music history. Listen to Martines’ Overture in C in this episode, which is perhaps the first symphony ever published by a female composer. Missy Mazzoli’s music combines modern textures with celestial imagery to create mesmerizing symphonic journies that explore the boundless expanse of space and time. With its striking rhythms and innovative orchestration, Mazzoli’s Sinfonia for Orbiting Spheres offers an intriguing glimpse into Mazzoli’s unique musical voice.Bobby Ge, known for his innovative fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, challenges conventions and pushes the boundaries of classical composition. His distinctive voice blends rich orchestral textures with cutting-edge sounds, offering a fresh and compelling perspective on modern music.Join Host Ryan Haskins in conversation with Bobby Ge as they discuss the inspiration behind writing music today and experience firsthand the impact of a vibrant, forward-thinking approach to the orchestral genre that is catching audiences' attention worldwide.

On the next Sioux City Symphony Orchestra Radio Hour episode, we will feature two groundbreaking works, Florence Price's Piano Concerto, which combines classical elegance with vibrant African American musical traditions and Maurice Ravel's seductive Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2.Composed in 1934, Price's concerto is a dazzling display of rhythmic vitality and melodic richness. Host Ryan Haskins and pianist Michelle Cann will delve into its lush orchestration and the dynamic interplay between piano and orchestra. From the lively first section to the provocative second and the jubilant finale, join us as we celebrate Price's innovative spirit and explore why this concerto remains a masterpiece of American classical music.Maurice Ravel's enchanting Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2, derived from Ravel's lush ballet score, is a journey that transports listeners to a world of myth and romance. The suite's rich orchestral colors and complex rhythms unfold a story of love and pastoral beauty, culminating in the exhilarating "Danse Générale."Explore Ravel's masterful orchestration and Florence Price's legacy of innovation and passion. Join us as we honor these two composers who significantly contributed to Western Classical Music in the 20th century, providing inspiration and impacting historical shifts that we still celebrate today.

Saturday night, the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra opens its 104th season with a legendary performer.Dame Evelyn Glennie is a Scottish percussionist who…