Though best known best known for writing the book, music, and lyrics for the 1957 hit musical The Music Man, there is much more to Meredith Willson that that tuneful Broadway classic—as admittedly terrific as it is. The native of Mason City, Iowa was a
flautist, composer, conductor, musical arranger, bandleader, playwright, and writer, who also composed a number of works for the concert hall as well. Willson's Symphony No. 2, titled "The Missions of California", premiered on August 21, 1940 with Albert Coates conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Inspired by California's missions and the friar Junipero Serra, the Symphony is in four movements—the second of which is particularly noted for its beauty and memorable melodies, and has drawn comparisons with Dvořák's "New World" Symphony. We'll hear Meredith Willson's Symphony No. 2, "The Missions of California," in honor of the 85th anniversary of its premiere—and much more—on Thursday's Classical Music with Foley Schuler.
You can hear Foley Schuler musical selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1 until 4 on Blue Lake Public Radio
