2019-20 Charlottesville Symphony Season

Masterworks 1 – Mozart & Brahms

Saturday, September 28, 8:00pm
Sunday, September 29, 3:30pm

Benjamin Rous, Conductor
Albert Kim, Piano

MOZART Symphony No. 32, K. 318
ROUSTOM Ramal
BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83

The orchestra kicks off its 45^th season with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sprightly and festive Symphony No. 32, a miniature symphony crafted by a true genius. “Ramal” by Syrian-American composer Kareem Roustom is steeped in the musical traditions of the Near East. The New York Times called it “ propulsive, colorful and an immediately appealing creation.” Albert Kim is the soloist in Johannes Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto. Huge in scale and character, it is a virtuosic showpiece for the pianist – although Brahms jokingly referred to it as “a tiny little piano concerto.” Sponsored by the Provost and the Vice Provost for the Arts at the University of Virginia

“The concert was fabulous from beginning to end.”

Masterworks 2 – Romantic Titans: Bruckner, Mendelssohn, R. Strauss

Saturday, November 16, 8:00pm
Sunday, November 17, 3:30pm

Benjamin Rous, Conductor
Michael Slon, Conductor
Katy Ambrose, Horn

MONTGOMERY Caught by the Wind
RICHARD STRAUSS Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 11
MENDELSSOHN Psalm 42, Op. 42
BRUCKNER Te Deum in C Major, WAB 45

ROMANTIC TITANS: BRUCKNER, MENDELSSOHN AND RICHARD STRAUSS

Katy Ambrose, Principal Horn in the Charlottesville Symphony, performs Richard Strauss’ exuberant Horn Concerto No. 1, the most frequently performed horn concerto written in the 19^th century. Conducted by Michael Slon, the UVA University Singers join the orchestra and four vocal soloists for Felix Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42 and Anton Bruckner’s Te Deum. A joyful hymn of thanksgiving, Te Deum was the pinnacle of Bruckner’s output and one of the greatest large-scale choral works of its day. Rounding out the program is Jessie Montgomery’s “Caught by the Wind,” a meditation on the cycles of life inspired by her brother’s bicycle tour.

“Thank you, thank you for first-rate performances usually found only in big cities.

Masterworks 3 – British Riches

Saturday, February 15, 8:00pm
Sunday, February 16, 3:30pm

Benjamin Rous, Conductor
Zachary Wilder, Tenor

BUTTERWORTH A Shropshire Lad
BRITTEN Nocturne, Op. 60
WILLIAMS Elegy for String Orchestra
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS On Wenlock Edge
ARNOLD Tam o’Shanter Overture, Op. 51

BRITISH RICHES

In a fusion of music and poetry, George Butterworth, Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Malcolm Arnold all plumbed the works of great English poets: Shelley, Tennyson, Coleridge, Middleton, Wordsworth, Keats, Shakespeare, Burns and A.E. Houseman. Tenor Zachary Wilder leads an exploration of love and death, life and loss, dreaming and the poignancy of the English countryside. The program also includes Elegy for String Orchestra by Grace Williams, generally regarded as Wales’ most notable female composer. Sponsored by McGuireWoods

“You have made living in Charlottesville much richer – and we were New Yorkers, used to the best.”

Masterworks 4 – New World Symphony

Saturday, March 21, 8:00pm Paul Ghun Kim, Guest Conductor

Sunday, March 22, 3:30pm Brendon Elliott, Violin

LISZT Les Préludes
PAGANINI Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 6
DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95

NEW WORLD SYMPHONY

One of the most beloved symphonies of all time, Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”) is his folk-inspired love letter to America. Les Préludes – Symphonic Poem No. 3 by Franz Liszt is in turn reflective, martial and majestic. Performed by Brendon Elliott, Niccolò Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 can only be described as violin fireworks – a high-wire act from beginning to end! Oregonian Paul Ghun Kim is the guest conductor. Sponsored by Vesta Lee Gordon

“Under the baton of Benjamin Rous, the symphony is sharp, focused, energetic and spectacular.”

Masterworks 5 – Dazzling Dances 

Benjamin Rous, Conductor
Kelly Sulick, Flute

ROUSE Flute Concerto
JOHANN STRAUSS Accelerationen, Banditen-Galopp, Frühlingsstimmen,Éljen a Magyar!
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio Espagnol

DAZZLING DANCES

Christopher Rouse’s Irish-influenced Flute Concerto features Charlottesville Symphony Principal Flute, Kelly Sulick. A collection of waltzes and polkas by Johann Strauss II celebrates Spring. Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol dazzles with a riotous whirl of colors and the alborada and fandango, two of Spain’s best-known dances.

“After such a wonderful season, I’m now a Symphony convert! We have to subscribe next year.”

Plus! Family Holiday Concerts

Friday, December 6, 8:00pm
Saturday, December 7, 3:30pm

Michael Slon, Conductor
with the UVA University Singers