May 2002 Concert Program

Johann Strauss 11 is known for several operas, including "Die Fledermaus" and "The Gypsy Baron." However, his most famous output has been the many waltzes he composed. Waltzes such as the "Blue Danube," the "Emperor Waltz," and the piece being performed in this concert are some of his most often performed works.

“Tales from the Vienna Woods” was inspired by the beautiful wooded scenery around in the Vienna countryside. The opening of the composition with the combination of horn, clarinet and oboe is reminiscent of a sunrise in the countryside. Interspersed between the waltzes are "landler," or folk songs from Austria and Switzerland. Strauss also includes a part for the zither, a folk instrument common to the area. After listening to a portion of the waltz, one can almost envision the surroundings Strauss must have been describing in his music.

Symphony No. 8 in B minor, “Unfinished,” D. 759, Franz Schubert

Franz Schubert wrote this symphony in 1822 as a token of gratitude for the musical society in Graz who inducted him as a member. The musical society never performed the symphony. In fact, it was put on a shelf until 1860, which is 32 years after Schubert's death. One of Schubert's friends spent the next five years trying to have the symphony performed. The first performance finally came in 1865.

The symphony is called the “Unfinished" due to the fact there are only two movements rather than four as is the case in most symphonies written during this time. There are several theories as to why there are only two movements. Some people feel that Schubert considered this a complete work of art that could not be improved by adding two additional movements. Other historians feel that the last two movements were lost. Their theory has some validity since the original manuscript has nine additional measures of music that seem to be the beginning of the third movement.

No matter what the reason for having only two movements might be, the remaining first two movements comprise some of the most beautiful writing done by the composer. The symphony is probably one of his best known and most often performed works.

Sonatina, Op. 36, Muzio Clementi (1752-1832)

Clementi's piano works have supplied students and teachers with excellent material. Clementi was the first to adapt his style to the newly invented pianoforte and is known as "Father of the Pianoforte."

The composer's conception of musical form is clean and concise. The first movement is light and carefree with no development section. This is characteristic of the sonatina, rather than the larger sonata form. The second movement is a shortened minuet with birdcalls in the flutes and slow rocking rhythms in the melody. The last movement is vivacious and fast with sweeping scales and a nice trumpet duet in the second theme.

Fugue from Op. 37, No. 3, Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Fugues present a great challenge to performers. One missed beat, one miscalculation as the themes chase themselves across the page, will allow return only with great difficulty. The primary motif of this fugue is the three half notes heard at the opening. This motif will emerge from the fabric of the music many times - most often in the cello line.

Hungarian Dance No. 6, Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Brahms achieved one of his first successes with the publication in 1869 of two volumes of Hungarian Dances for piano duet. Many of the dances were later arranged for full orchestra. The sixth dance is rhythmic and exciting, with sudden changes in tempo which is characteristic of the dances.

Rakoczy March, Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)

The march begins in a minor key. Minor key marches are rare. The more graceful second theme shifts to the relative major key. What follows finds minor and major key relationships shifting back and forth through ingenious modulations. The march ends with six long chords and a final brilliant major chord with the strings cutting off and winds holding.

Serenade C-Dur for String Orchestra, Op. 48, Peters lllich Tchaikowsky

When Tchaikowsky wrote this piece, he said, "I felt it, and venture to hope that this work is not without the qualities of a work of art." This work of art has certainly withstood the test of time and has become a mainstay of the string orchestra literature.

The “Elegie” is the third of the four movements that make up the serenade. Part of the form of this movement comes as the composer alternates two doleful melodies. Like a lot of Tchaikowsky's music, it is reminiscent of the personal turmoil that shaped his life. The music is thought provoking, highly emotional, and beautiful in a somewhat somber way.

Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

The melodic material for this overture comes directly from the Russian Orthodox Church. The intent of the piece is to musically portray the ancient Christian-pagan ritual of old Russia known as the "Bright Holiday." The mood of the piece swings from a somber beginning to a feeling of exaltation with church bells, fanfares and a great deal of rhythmic excitement. The composer called the composition a "concert adventure for orchestra."

“Russian Easter Overture” was written in 1888. It is interesting to note that three of Rimsky-Korsakov's most famous works were written within two years. “Capriccio Espagnol” was written in 1887 and “Scheherazade” was written in 1888. All three pieces helped establish the composer as a nationalistic as well as a master of orchestration.

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