Dear Friends:

Our March subscription concerts, Mozart and More, will present one of the world’s “rising star” young violinists as well as a varied array of delectable musical delights!

You can read about our teenage guest artist, Caroline Goulding, at her website by clicking here. Our programs open with J.S. Bach’s ceremonious Orchestra Suite No. 1. The first of four such works by the great Baroque master, this genre is considered by some to be the precursor of the symphony as we know it today. You will hear a magnificent overture followed by a series of six diverse dance movements – a Courante, two Gavottes, a Forlane, two Minuets, two Bourrées, and two Passepieds.

The feel of the entire suite is very much French. The Courante is a lively dance in triple meter; the Forlane a popular dance in 6/8 time using dotted rhythms; the Minuets are more courtly in feel while the Bourrées offer a different duple phrasing and feel. The Passepieds bring this charming work to a buoyant conclusion.

The next two works offer great contrasts. Frederick Delius’s Two Pieces for Small Orchestra, On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring and Summer Night on the River, are intimate character pieces by a composer with a rich background. Regarded by some as the most prominent of the late Romantic English composers, these gems actually sound somewhat impressionistic. They also present hints of a Florida landscape, as Delius had settled for part of his life on the St. John’s River north of Jacksonville. The eminent British conductor Sir Thomas Beecham was the greatest proponent of Delius’s music. A greater champion no composer could hope to find. It is my sincere hope that we will offer you moving renditions of these lovely gems

Bela Bartok’s Rumanian Folk Dances will bring the first half of each concert to a rousing close. A composer, like Delius, who was interested in folk music of his country (and America – having lived for a time in New York City), Bartok assembled a series of short and invigorating tunes that will make your toes tap.

Faure’s stunningly beautiful Pavane, which has become one of the world’s most popular pieces, will open the second half. Inspired by the feeling of a slow processional Spanish court dance this masterpiece ebbs and flows with a haunting elegance. The solo flute sets the memorable mood. This piece always sounds great – but should be particularly stirring in the St. Turibius Chapel at the Pontifical College Josephinum.

Mozart is always a favorite, no matter when and where it is played. One of my truly favorite composers, his Violin Concerto No. 5 (his “Turkish “) is one of my favorite works of all time. The violin sings and soars, coupling tender romance with astonishing virtuosity. I am very excited to hear a young artist play this magnificent work, knowing that Mozart himself toured Europe playing the violin at Caroline’s age.

As with all of ProMusica’s programming, we have tried to design a memorable evening of music making for your enjoyment this March.

Hopefully you can sense that the Mozart and More concerts promise to convey much of the greatness that music has to offer – songs and dances of great beauty, with the unique nationalistic touches of many influences from around the world . . . English, French, Spanish, Hungarian, American, and Turkish.

Whether you attend on Saturday at 5:30 at the Josephinum, or Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Theatre, please invite some friends. Know how much my colleagues in ProMusica and I love performing for you! ENJOY!!


Cheers,


Music Director