Concerts of Thursday, April 26, and Saturday, April 28, at 8:00p, and Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 3:00p

Transcription

1 Concerts of Thursday, April 26, and Saturday, April 28, at 8:00p, and Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 3:00p Carlo Rizzi, Conductor Elizabeth Koch Tiscione, oboe Sergei Prokofiev ( ) Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Opus 25, Classical (1917) I. Allegro II. Larghetto III. Gavotta. Non troppo allegro IV. Finale. Molto vivace Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ( ) Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in C Major, K. 285d (K. 314) (1777) I. Allegro aperto II. Adagio non troppo III. Rondo. Allegretto Elizabeth Koch Tiscione, oboe Intermission Ludwig van Beethoven ( ) Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Opus 36 (1802) I. Adagio molto; Allegro con brio II. Larghetto III. Scherzo. Allegro IV. Allegro molto

2 Notes on the Program by Ken Meltzer Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Opus 25, Classical (1917) Sergei Prokofiev was born in Sontsovka, Russia, on April 23, 1891, and died in Moscow, Russia, on March 5, The first performance of the Classical Symphony took place on April 21, 1918 in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), Russia, with the composer conducting. The Classical Symphony is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings. Approximate performance time is fifteen minutes. First Classical Subscription Performance: February 24, 1946, Henry Sopkin, Conductor. Most Recent Classical Subscription Performances: May 15, 16, and 17, 2008, Laura Jackson, Conductor. Sergei Prokofiev composed his Classical Symphony, one of the most popular concert works of the 20 th century, during a period that spanned the years He completed the orchestration on September 10, The premiere of Prokofiev s Classical Symphony took place in Petrograd on April 21, The composer led the former St. Petersburg Court Orchestra. By this time, the October Revolution had taken place. Prokofiev felt that under the circumstances, staying in Russia would inhibit his growth as an artist. In the audience for the premiere of the Classical Symphony was the new Soviet Commissar of Education Enlightenment, Anatoly Lunacharsky. Sometime later, Prokofiev approached Lunacharsky with the hope of obtaining permission to travel to the United States. The following conversation took place between Prokofiev and Lunacharsky: Prokofiev: I have been working rather hard, and I would like to get a breath of fresh air. Lunacharsky: Don t you think we have enough fresh air here now? Prokofiev: Yes, but I would like the physical air of seas and oceans. Lunacharsky (after a few minutes of contemplation): You are a revolutionary in music, and we are revolutionaries in life. We ought to work together. But if you want to go to America I shall not stand in your way. On May 7, 1918, Prokofiev departed Russia for the United States, intending to return within a few months. I took with me the Scythian Suite, the Classical Symphony, the First (Piano) Concerto, and my pianoforte pieces. More than a

3 decade would pass before Prokofiev would be able to reconcile with the people and government of his native land. Despite the turbulence that plagued Russia during the composition of the Classical Symphony, the work represents Prokofiev at his wittiest and most carefree. Perhaps this is not that surprising, given that the Classical Symphony is Prokofiev s tribute to the greatest of symphonic humorists the 18 th -century Austrian composer, Franz Joseph Haydn ( ). In his autobiography, Prokofiev described his approach to this beloved work: It seemed to me that had Haydn lived to our day he would have retained his own style while accepting something of the new at the same time. That was the kind of symphony I wanted to write: a symphony in the classical style. And when I saw that my idea was beginning to work, I called it the Classical Symphony: in the first place because that was simpler, and secondly for the fun of it, to tease the geese, and in the secret hope that I would prove to be right if the symphony really did turn out to be a piece of classical music. Musical Analysis I. Allegro A fortissimo chord and grand, upward flourish by the orchestra lead to the first violins introduction of the scurrying principal theme. The second theme an impish figure notable for its wide intervals is again presented by the first violins, this time accompanied by the bassoon. A pause heralds the development of the central themes. The ascending flourish that served to open the Symphony returns both to commence the recapitulation section and to bring the opening movement to a rousing conclusion. II. Larghetto A brief introduction by the strings serves as prelude to the slowtempo movement s central theme, which the composer directs the first violins play softly and molto dolce ( very sweetly ). A central section features a sixteenth-note sequence that builds to a fortissimo climax. The sixteenth-note figure is incorporated into the reprise of the central theme, as the Larghetto proceeds to a pianissimo finish. III. Gavotta. Non troppo allegro The third movement of a typical Haydn Symphony is a minuet, a court dance in triple meter. In the brief third movement of his Classical Symphony, Prokofiev substitutes a gavotte a court dance as well, but one in 4/4 time. IV. Finale. Molto vivace The Finale opens with a fortissimo chord, and the first violins introduction of the spirited opening theme, to which the winds offer puckish commentary. The winds present the second principal theme, based upon repeated eighth notes. The flutes play the scherzando ( joking ) closing theme, which also predominates during the ensuing development. The

4 recapitulation inaugurated by the flutes leads to the Classical Symphony s cheerful close. Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in C Major, K. 285d (K. 314) (1777) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, on January 27, 1756, and died in Vienna, Austria, on December 5, In addition to the solo oboe, the Concerto is scored for two oboes, two horns, and strings. Approximate performance time is twenty-one minutes. These are the First Classical Subscription Performances. Mozart composed his Oboe Concerto in the spring or summer of Mozart originally wrote the work for Giuseppe Ferlendis, an oboist in the Salzburg Court Orchestra. But later that year, Mozart gave the Concerto to Friedrich Ramm, principal oboe in the Mannheim Court Orchestra. In a letter to his father, Leopold, Mozart described Ramm as a very good, jolly, honest fellow of about thirty-five, who has already traveled a great deal, and consequently has plenty of experience. (In another letter to Leopold, Mozart called Ramm a decent fellow, but a libertine. ) It appears that Ramm was thrilled with Mozart s new Concerto. In fact, Mozart described Ramm as quite crazy with delight when the oboist received the work. In a letter of February 14, 1778, Mozart informed Leopold of a Mannheim concert in which Herr Ramm played for the fifth time my oboe concerto, written for Ferlendis, which is making a great sensation here. It is now Ramm s cheval de bataille ( war horse ). Later, the score of Mozart s Oboe Concerto disappeared, and was presumed lost forever. However, in 1920, manuscript parts were discovered in the library of the Mozarteum in Salzburg. A review of those parts quickly revealed that the work was identical to Mozart s Flute Concerto in D, completed in 1778 in fulfillment of a commission. Musical Analysis I. Allegro aperto The Concerto opens with the traditional orchestral exposition of the movement s principal themes. The violins immediately play the vigorous first theme. The first violins, over undulating accompaniment by the second violins, sing the more subdued second theme. A short closing motif leads to the entrance of the soloist, who plays a sustained note, while the violins repeat the opening theme. The soloist then offers far more elaborate, virtuoso renditions of the central themes. A brief development section leads to the recapitulation. The orchestra sets the stage for the oboe s solo cadenza, with the ensemble providing the spirited conclusion. II. Adagio non troppo The Adagio is in the style of an opera aria without words, with the soloist assuming the role of the vocalist. After a noble orchestral

5 introduction, the oboe enters with an extended, flowing melody. Following a short interlude, the orchestra launches the repeat of the opening section. Another cadenza for the soloist precedes the closing measures that begin forcefully, but resolve to a serene resolution. III. Rondo. Allegretto The Rondo finale is based upon a sprightly theme, immediately played by the soloist (in 1782, this theme reappeared in the aria, Welche Wonne, welche lust [ What bliss, what rapture ], in Mozart s highly successful opera, The Abduction from the Seraglio). The theme returns throughout the finale, juxtaposed with lively episodes showcasing the virtuoso talents of the soloist. A final solo cadenza leads to the exuberant close. Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Opus 36 (1802) Ludwig van Beethoven was baptized in Bonn, Germany, on December 17, 1770, and died in Vienna, Austria, on March 26, The first performance of the Symphony No. 2 took place at the Theater-an-der-Wien in Vienna on April 5, 1803, with the composer conducting. The Symphony No. 2 is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings. Approximate performance time is thirty-two minutes. First Classical Subscription Performance: October 31, 1948, Henry Sopkin, Conductor. Most Recent Classical Subscription Performances: September 23-26, 2004, Robert Spano, Conductor. By the close of the 18 th century, Beethoven had firmly established himself as one of Vienna s most important pianists and composers. During that same period, Beethoven began to experience difficulties with his hearing. Beethoven consulted with several physicians. Finally, in mid-year of 1801, Beethoven came under the care of Johann Adam Schmidt, a professor of general pathology and therapy at Vienna s Josephine Academy. The following year, Dr. Schmidt recommended that Beethoven remove himself from the stresses of Viennese life and spend some time in the country. In April of 1802, Beethoven relocated to the beautiful country village of Heiligenstadt, where he remained until the early fall. During the stay in Heiligenstadt, it appears that Beethoven experienced a further decline in his hearing. Beethoven was forced to confront the possibility, even the likelihood, that he would become totally deaf. It was, of course, the cruelest joke Fate could play upon Beethoven. He would soon become a pianist unable to perform in public, and a composer unable to hear his own musical creations. It is not surprising that Beethoven spent much time contemplating the meaning of his life. One of the products of this soul-searching process was the immortal document known as the Heiligenstadt Testament, written in October of 1802.

6 Addressed to his two brothers, the Testament was found among Beethoven s papers after the composer s death in In the Heiligenstadt Testament, Beethoven confessed: But how humiliated I have felt if somebody standing beside me heard the sound of a flute in the distance and I heard nothing, or if somebody heard a shepherd sing and again I heard nothing Such experiences almost made me despair, and I was on the point of putting an end to my life The only thing that held me back was my art. For indeed it seemed to me impossible to leave this world before I had produced all the works I felt the urge to compose; and thus I have dragged on this miserable existence a truly miserable existence Around the same time Beethoven penned the Heiligenstadt Testament, he put the finishing touches on a work begun the previous year, his Symphony No. 2. The D-Major Symphony received its premiere the following April 5 at Vienna s Theater-an-der-Wien. The concert also featured Beethoven s First Symphony, as well as the premieres of the composer s Third Piano Concerto and the oratorio, Christ on the Mount of Olives. Beethoven performed as both piano soloist and conductor. In 1801, Beethoven announced to his friend, Wenzel Krumpholz: I am only a little satisfied with my previous works. From today on I will take a new path. Musical historians usually designate the 1803 Eroica, Opus 55, as the commencement of Beethoven new path at least in terms of symphonic composition. It is interesting, then, to read the following critique of the premiere of the Second Symphony, published in the Vienna Zeitung für die Elegante Welt on April 16, 1803: Herr van Beethoven even augmented the price of the seats for his Cantata and announced several days in advance and with much pomp that all of the pieces to be played would be of his composition They consisted of two symphonies, of which the first is essentially of more value than the second, because it is developed with an unforced lightness, while in the second the striving for the new and astonishing is more apparent. The following May, that same paper characterized the Symphony No. 2 as a crass monster, a hideously writhing wounded dragon, that refuses to expire, and though bleeding in the Finale, furiously beats about with its tail erect. Upon closer inspection, it is not difficult to find the elements of the Symphony No. 2 that so troubled those critics. It is true that the Symphony is not cast in the epic mode that made the Eroica such an epochal work. On the other hand, the D- Major Symphony offers frequent and compelling employment of dynamic contrasts, dissonance, and brilliant thematic manipulation. All of these elements point the way to the revolutionary style so indelibly associated with Beethoven. That Beethoven was able to write such vibrant, masterful (and indeed, high-

7 spirited) music while in the grips of a shattering personal crisis, testifies to the spirit of a man who once vowed: I will seize Fate by the throat; it shall certainly not bend and crush me completely. Musical Analysis I. Adagio molto; Allegro con brio A brief orchestral fanfare launches the extended and dramatic slow-tempo introduction (Adagio molto), featuring hints of the ensuing Allegro con brio. The violas, cellos, and basses launch the movement s principal quick-tempo section with the presentation of a scurrying theme that soon resolves to a boisterous, orchestral outburst. The playful second theme is cast in the form of a dialogue between the winds and the ensemble. These themes form the basis for a vibrant development section, and the ensuing recapitulation. The first principal theme serves as the foundation for the blazing final measures. II. Larghetto The strings present a graceful melody, immediately repeated by the winds. The Larghetto s second principal melody features lovely arabesques in the first violins. The development section introduces moments of storm and stress, ultimately dispelled by the restatement of the principal melodies. The first melody (now with lovely flute commentary) forms the basis for the Larghetto s conclusion. A final dramatic outburst yields to the hushed closing bars. III. Scherzo. Allegro The Scherzo is based upon a three-note motif, bandied about by the orchestra in a rapid dialogue with abrupt juxtapositions of loud and soft dynamics. The winds initiate a Trio section that opens in restrained fashion, but soon offers its own moments of boisterous energy. The movement concludes with a reprise of the Scherzo. IV. Allegro molto The finale opens with a brief orchestral chortle that frames a scurrying figure, played by the strings. That sequence serves as the thematic nucleus of this quicksilver finale. A recurring, descending theme in the winds provides lyrical contrast in a movement that combines elements of both rondo and sonata forms. Toward the close of the finale, Beethoven interrupts the whirlwind of activity with a hushed, furtive episode, swept away by the raucous closing bars.