The chorus, orchestra and soloists will sing of ships and their captains, wind and waves, the voyage of every human soul, and music so vivid you can almost taste the sea spray in the air.

Vaughan Williams’ setting of Walt Whitman’s poetry from Leaves of Grass and Passage to India elicit thrilling viscerality in its climactic vision of the individual soul sailing forth ‘for the deep waters only, where mariner has not yet dared to go.’ This large-scale symphony was one of the first to incorporate choir throughout the work and is considered one of the mightiest first symphonies ever composed.

“The opening of this symphony is one of the boldest and thrilling in the repertoire, said Maestro Caulkins. “It sets off a 70-minute saga that explores not just the sea, but our place within the world. In the third movement, Vaughan Williams finds ways to capture the sounds of the winds and waves in music that can be quite arresting. The other two movements contemplate the biggest questions of life. In the final measures we witness the ship of life slowly and calmly disappearing over the horizon into the unknown, into unchartered waters that is very effective and moving.”

All ticket buyers are welcome to join us for a special presentation by Mote Marine President & CEO, Dr. Michael P. Crosby, one hour before each concert. Dr. Crosby will reflect on the importance of the sea as he shares Mote’s mission, its groundbreaking research, ocean conservation, education and plans for its exciting future with Oceans for All!

Tickets: $35-$45
KeyChorale.org or call the box office at 941-552-8768