Photo: Barclay and Nancy Armstrong, conductor Yutaka Komo, and KSO Board VP Therese Crocker at the reception following Sunday’s concert. (Photo by KSO Board Member Carol Gerwick.) Under the fourth season’s theme, “Bach to the Future,” KSO patrons experienced a glorious afternoon last Sunday, October 4, with the symphony’s season opener. Honoring the late Anne Armstrong, the concert elegantly combined a Bach choral prelude with pieces from the later 19th and early 20th centuries.

Conducted by TAMUK Assistant Professor Yutaka Kono, the orchestra opened with The Star Spangled Banner, arranged by TAMUK Music Professor Greg Sanders. Then followed Richard Wagner’s Prelude to Act I of Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, a majestic, lilting piece that set a romantic tone for the afternoon. The next piece was Bach’s choral prelude from his Sleepers Awake cantata, arranged by Eugene Ormandy. The orchestra beautifully portrayed the prelude’s familiar fugue style with Bach’s underlying, deeper melody.

A video tribute to Anne Legendre Armstrong formed the visual accompaniment to the orchestra’s rendition of Edward Elgar’s “Nimrod” from his Enigma Variations. The musical swells of the piece gracefully complemented scenes of the late ambassador’s life of dedication and service to the nation, the state, the local area, and her family.

The first half of the concert ended with Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite #1. Four movements -- Morning, Ase’s Death, Anitra’s Dance, and In the Hall of the Mountain King, familiar as background music in cartoons and commercials -- were beautifully executed by the orchestra. Especially notable were the pizzicato string passages in the final two movements.

Following intermission, Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” provided the final piece of the afternoon. Marked by distinctly late 19th-century American western themes, the four movements combine new world melodies along with traditional old world influences such as Beethoven and Schubert.

Once again the KSO provided an afternoon of wonderful music. This concert’s 32-page program suggests the widespread community support of the KSO among area businesses and educational institutions. The program notes, prepared by TAMUK Professor Judith Cole, give excellent information to help audience members understand and appreciate each musical selection.

Two upcoming KSO events are a fundraiser, scheduled for Friday, November 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Bombay Lounge and Grill in Corpus Christi, and the Holiday Concert, scheduled for Saturday, November 21.

David Sabrio teaches English and his wife Sue teaches mathematics at TAMUK.