Corigliano’s 2nd Symphony
Details
Jean Sibelius
Valse triste
John Storgårds,
conductor
(Duration: 6 min)
In 1903, Jean Sibelius wrote a suite of incidental music for a play titled Death, written by his brother-in-law. The next year he extracted the first selection as Valse triste (Sad Waltz), selling it to a publisher to help finance his move to Ainola. Ever since it was first performed on its own in 1904, the waltz has been one of Sibelius’ most popular concert pieces.
In its original setting in the play, Valse triste accompanies a ghostly dance by a dying mother among an imagined crowd, until the dancers vanish and only Death stands in the doorway. Muted strings establish the dark tone of the long-lined melody, while the flute and clarinet appear later in music that offers momentary optimism. The texture of the final cadence, intoned by just four violins, leaves a cold, lonely chill at the end.
Aaron Grad ©2024
Robert Schumann
Violin Concerto
John Corigliano
Symphony No. 2
John Storgårds,
conductor
About This Program
Approximate length 2:00
Renowned violinist Christian Tetzlaff joins the SPCO and conductor John Storgårds to perform Schumann’s Violin Concerto, a dazzling masterpiece of the Romantic concerto repertoire. Written late in the composer’s life as he was in the clutches of mental illness, the work presents a heartbreaking look into the psyche of a musical genius on the brink of losing his mind and his livelihood. This program concludes with celebrated American composer John Corigliano’s powerful Second Symphony, a work in turns fanciful, devastating and sublime.
Renowned violinist Christian Tetzlaff joins the SPCO and conductor John Storgårds to perform Schumann’s Violin Concerto, a dazzling masterpiece of the Romantic concerto repertoire. Written late in the composer’s life as he was in the clutches of mental illness, the work presents a heartbreaking look into the psyche of a musical genius on the brink of losing his mind and his livelihood. This program concludes with celebrated American composer John Corigliano’s powerful Second Symphony, a work in turns fanciful, devastating and sublime.