By MARTA HEPLER DRAHOS
TRAVERSE CITY -- It was commissioned by the American Princesse Edmond de Polignac, but the Poulenc Organ Concerto turned out to be too hard for her to play.
Instead organist Maurice Durufle premiered the piece in the princess' salon, with Nadia Boulanger conducting.
The 20th-century master work -- completely titled the "Concerto in G Minor for Organ, Strings and Timpani" -- will get its Traverse Symphony Orchestra debut at 3 p.m. Sunday in Interlochen's Corson Auditorium. Fittingly, Interlochen instructor of organ and class piano Thomas Bara will be at the keyboard.
Bara studied organ at Interlochen Arts Academy in the 1980s with the late Robert Murphy, and often played in Corson. He said nothing brings back memories of his old instructor like the familiar concert hall.
"Every place on campus brings back 'Murph' memories, but Corson Auditorium in particular," said Bara, who later earned degrees from the University of Michigan and the Eastman School of Music. "He was in charge of all the (ceremonies) that went on in Corson. I remember the organ being part of some of those pomp-and- circumstance processionals. So I have to think back to Murph."
Sunday's concert will be a rare chance for local audiences to hear the Poulenc Organ Concerto, which took the composer four years to complete, said TSO Executive Director Ed Downing. First performed on Dec. 16, 1938, it is the only organ work of its kind to establish a place in the standard concert repertoire in the 250 years since Handel's death.
"It's a piece that I think was immediately accessible, but once I learned it I liked it better than ever," said Bara, who has performed in some of the world's leading churches including the Royal Cathedral in Copenhagen, Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York and King's College in Cambridge. "It's not the toughest thing I've ever played but it has some fireworks for the audience."
The concerto was something of a departure for Poulenc, who knew nothing about the organ and was known for his more humorous works.
"If you know the music of Poulenc, he has a French flavor that's a little light-hearted and playful," said Bara, also choirmaster at Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City. "This one has those influences but a more serious, religious feel as well."
The work is one of three on Sunday's program, which marks Bara's TSO solo debut. Dubbed The Fabulous French, the concert also includes "Aux Etoiles" by Henri Duparc and "Symphony in D Minor" by Cesar Franck.
Tickets are $20-$38 at www.traversesymphony.org or at 947-7120. The audience is invited to arrive early at 2 p.m. for a TSO Civic Ensemble performance.
2010-11 TSO concert season
-- July 17-18: "American Spirit," patriotic music with guest conductor Amy Mills; City Opera House
-- Aug. 7-8: "Mozart and a Premier," Mozart music and the U.S. debut of Alan Thomas' "Concerto for Flute and Guitar" with Cavatina Duo; City Opera House
-- Oct. 24: "Fantastique!" the music of Berlioz, Dukas, Liszt; Corson Auditorium
-- Dec. 11-12: "Sing for Joy," holiday favorites with vocal soloists, chorus; City Opera House
-- March 20, 2011: "Master Works," Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 1" with pianist Spencer Myer; Corson Auditorium
-- April 10: "Brahms Requiem," chorus and Robin Buck, baritone; Corson Auditorium
-- May 14-15: "Eroica," Beethoven's "Eroica" symphony and Mendelssohn's "Concerto for Violin in E Minor" with violinist Caroline Goulding; Corson Auditorium
For season tickets, call 947-7120 or visit www.traversesymphony.org. Single tickets go on sale June 1.
