Light Overture

The "Light Overture: A Symphonic Entertainment" is an 8-minute contemporary orchestral piece written by Danish composer Poul Ruders, commissioned by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at the behest of Alabama Power to celebrate their 100th anniversary.

The piece was recorded in the Alys Stephens Center's Jemison Concert Hall on November 8, 2006 with Justin Brown conducting, and had its premiere in front of a live audience at a private concert on December 4 with Christopher Confessore conducting. The piece was then made part of the symphony's "On the Road" series of concerts. The recording was distributed to Alabama Power friends and employees and later included in a July 2007 release of Ruder's works by New York-based Bridge Records. The score is published by Edition Wilhelm Hanson.

The overture plays on both meanings of "light", as illumination and a festive mood. The five "chapters" of the formally-composed piece are denoted "quick and light", "sweeping", "swinging", "broad", and "stretto (faster)"

Recordings

• Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Justin Brown, conducting (2006) "Light Overture" by Poul Ruders. Music of Poul Ruders, Volume 5. Bridge Records 9237

References

• Huebner, Michael (November 8, 2006) "'Light' session set for ASO." Birmingham News.
• Urquhart, Marietta (February 2007) "Conductor of electricity." Birmingham Magazine. Vol. 46, No. 2, p. 125-7
• Huebner, Michael (December 26, 2007) "Alabama Symphony impresses on Poul Ruders CD." Birmingham News