David Castonguay

On Saturday evening, February 4, the Wytheville Concert Series will continue its chamber music presentations with “English Vocal Music from Butterworth to the Beatles”.

The concert will feature Baritone Dr. David Castonguay accompanied by the popular Saturn String Ensemble: the two violins of Kevin Matheson and Martin Irving, Bryan Matheson on viola, and the cello of Lisa Wright.  Songs performed will be by George Butterworth, Gerald Finzi and England’s “fab four,” The Beatles.

In addition to the featured songs of England, there will be a nod to the continent with Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” and Dvorak’s love songs, “Cypresses,” for string quartet.

Dr. Castonguay is active in the United States and Europe as a baritone soloist, choral conductor, musical jurist and music educator and mentor.  He serves as associate professor of music and director of choral activities at Radford University.

Those who’ve been watching the PBS series “Downton Abbey” will be interested to know that George Butterworth, a friend and associate of Vaughn Williams, was killed in 1916 at the World War I Battle of the Somme.  He had been considered one of Europe’s most promising composers.

Like Butterworth, Finzi was an enthusiast and collector with Vaughn Williams of English folk music.  Unlike Butterworth, Finzi was too young to serve in WWI and survived until 1956, although his musical work was interrupted by WWII.

Both Butterworth and Finzi set to music the poetry of some of England’s finest poets.  The lyrics of this concert’s songs will be from poetry by W.E. Henley and Thomas Hardy.

Strange to think of the overlapping lives of Gerald Finzi and the four lads from Liverpool, but overlap they did, and concert-goers can expect a treat as the musical genius of The Beatles is presented in arrangements for string quartet.

As is the Wytheville Concert Series’ tradition, promising young music students will also join the program for several pieces, gaining valuable performance experience.  The Wythe Bow and Strings Chamber Orchestra will perform Selections from Arthur Duff’s “Irish Suite”. Members include: Johanna Burcham, Juliana Burcham, Perry Burress, Karen Karnei, Edward Morgan, Holden Robinson, Sydney Stephens, Abby Storms, Kennedy Thomas, Connor Whitaker, Melody Whitaker and Trevor Whitaker.

“English Vocal Music from Butterworth to the Beatles” will be held Saturday evening, February 4, at 7:00 p.m.; Wytheville Community College, Snyder Auditorium; Admission: $10 for adults.