Jean Sibelius’ good-natured and deceptively uncomplicated-sounding Symphony No. 3 is a turning point from his first two intensely romantic and nationalistic symphonies to his later, more austere and complex symphonic works. The second half reveals an early 20th century overture by the underplayed (and under-recognized) New York born, Berlin trained composer Helen Crane. We bookend the program with another English composer, BAFTA Award-winning film composer Richard Harvey (The DaVinci Code) whose beloved Concerto Antico is a stunning contemporary Baroque showcase for guest soloist Scott Hill’s guitar.
Beethoven: Symphony No. 4
Mozart: Symphonic Concertante - Dawn Perlner, violin and Jayna Leach, viola
Let’s revel for Ravel on his 150th birthday year! We’ll celebrate this French composer and fabulous orchestrator, Maurice Ravel, with fan favorites and pieces that are new to our orchestra repertoire. Opening with the too rarely-performed, lively, and colorful Alborada del gracioso, the program progresses through a homage to French Baroque composer François Couperin for chamber orchestra and the Mother Goose Suite, orchestrated by the composer from a two-hand piano piece. The magnificent and contemporaneous Piano Concerto in G has a jazzy blues component, and features pianist Marika Bournaki. We end on a high note with 1928 top hit, Boléro, featuring the orchestra as soloists and together.
RAVEL – Alborada del gracioso
RAVEL – Tombeau de Couperin
RAVEL – Mother Goose Suite
RAVEL – Piano Concerto
RAVEL – Boléro
Special Guest: Marika Bournaki, piano
A Groton Hill exclusive!
Ten years ago, pianist Isata and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason arrived on the international classical music scene by way of Britain’s Got Talent: they made a splash as the eldest and third siblings in a remarkable family of musicians. As their stars rose, the young artists lived up to the hype, earning acclaim from critics and rapturous applause from audiences for recitals, orchestral appearances, and chart-topping recordings.
