Michael Stern is back with another program that stirs the imagination. Vivian Fung is one of the most original voices in the musical firmament today and Prayer reflects her thoughtfulness and superb skill. Fung translates a chant by medieval abbess and visionary Hildegard von Bingen into an ethereal contemplation for our time.
With creative genius that shines across the centuries, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 announced to the world that it was no longer business as usual for symphonic music. Time has not dimmed the freshness and innovative quality of his music and you will want to hear how it’s new all over again.
NRO musicians are superbly talented, and we love to feature them in solo roles. This program will include a concerto showcasing one of our NRO stars in music that is a perfect fit with everything else on the concert.
The first symphony of another creative genius — Dmitri Shostakovich — closes out this program. Composed to fulfill graduation requirements at the Leningrad Conservatory when Shostakovich was only 18 years old, his Symphony No. 1 is no student exercise but rather a confident work that earned him international fame and displayed the exceptional voice that would infuse all of his music. Relish the sharp wit, pungent textures, melancholy reminisces, and agitated melodies that fill this exceptional symphony.
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 1
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Concertino for Harp and Chamber Orchestra
Vivian Fung, Prayer
Dmitri Shostakovich, Symphony No. 1