Our season finale featuring music of Mendelssohn, Geza Frid, Bartok, & Barber.

2:15 PM: preconcert talk

3:00 PM: concert

Join our final program of the season!

Géza Frid: Clarinet Concerto
Dutch-Hungarian composer Géza Frid brings a lyrical and modern voice to the clarinet repertoire. His Clarinet Concerto, performed by Karen Luttik, reflects his deep connection to folk traditions and cosmopolitan life in mid-century Europe. A student of Bartók, Frid channels rhythmic vitality and clear melodic lines, allowing the clarinet to sing, dance, and converse with the orchestra. The concerto balances virtuosic passages with introspective lyricism, offering a rewarding experience for both performer and listener.

Felix Mendelssohn: String Symphony No. 10 in B minor
Written when Mendelssohn was just 14, the String Symphony No. 10 is a testament to his precocious talent and reverence for the Baroque masters. Cast in a single, compact movement, the symphony showcases his command of counterpoint and dramatic pacing. Its emotional intensity and clarity foreshadow the Romantic brilliance of his later works.

Béla Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances
A beloved staple of the 20th-century repertoire, Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances are based on melodies he collected in Transylvania. Each short movement highlights a different dance style, vividly colored by Bartók’s use of modal scales, irregular rhythms, and earthy charm. This suite captures the essence of rural life and Bartók’s lifelong dedication to preserving folk traditions.

Samuel Barber: Capricorn Concerto
Barber’s Capricorn Concerto-named after his country home, “Capricorn”-is a neoclassical gem. Written in 1944, it evokes the spirit of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, using flute, oboe, and trumpet as featured soloists. Energetic, playful, and richly textured, the work bridges Baroque clarity with 20th-century expressiveness, offering a joyful conclusion to the program.

Program:

Geza Frid: Clarinet Concerto – Karen Luttik, clarinet

Mendelssohn: String Symphony No. 10

Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances

Barber: Capricorn Concerto

General Admission $35 - Children & Students FREE

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