The North State Symphony opens its new season this weekend in Red Bluff, Redding and Chico. NSPR’s Matt Fidler spoke with Music Director and Conductor Scott Seaton about what audiences can expect.
Seaton says Felix Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony was born out of a walking tour of Scotland.
“He was 20 years old when he was inspired by this. And I compare him to 20-year-olds nowadays. I’m like, ‘How? How did he do the things he did?’” Seaton said.
“Music just makes life better … and 1931 ‘Frankenstein’ is no exception.”- Scott Seaton, North State Symphony music director and conductor
Seaton says the dramatic final section of the symphony was written with a war-like tempo.
“We go into the last movement, which was originally written with a tempo or character indication that meant war … It starts out with this huge, surprise slap in the face,” Seaton said. “For some it’s meant to depict like opposing armies in the Highlands somewhere.”
‘Frankenstein’: Film with live soundtrack
Looking ahead to October, Seaton says the symphony is leaning into the Halloween season with a live performance of Michael Shapiro’s score to the 1931 classic “Frankenstein.” The orchestra will play as the movie screens in Redding and Chico.
“Music just makes life better … and 1931 ‘Frankenstein’ is no exception,” Seaton said.
Listen to the interview with Scott Seaton
Editor’s note: NSPR’s broadcast licenses are owned by Chico State. The university does not oversee our news production or programming.
