Autumn 2024

Antonín Dvořák's 'Legends', Op. 59, is a collection of ten short pieces for piano four hands, later orchestrated by the composer. We are performing Legends 6-10, which form the second half of this charming and evocative work. Composed in 1881, these pieces showcase Dvořák's mastery of melody and his ability to create vivid musical landscapes inspired by Czech folklore and nature..

Giovanni Battista Viotti's Violin Concerto No. 22 in A minor is widely regarded as one of the most significant and influential works in the violin concerto repertoire. Composed during the late Classical period, this masterpiece showcases Viotti's virtuosic writing for the violin and his innovative approach to concerto form. Its enduring popularity among violinists and audiences alike attests to its musical depth and technical brilliance..

Beethoven's Symphony No. 1, premiered in Vienna on 2 April 1800, marked the composer's first foray into the symphonic form. This early work, whilst firmly rooted in the Classical tradition of Haydn and Mozart, hints at the revolutionary spirit that would come to define Beethoven's later compositions. Completed when Beethoven was in his late twenties, the symphony demonstrates his mastery of orchestral writing and his burgeoning desire to push the boundaries of established forms..

Antonín Dvořák spent a significant period in the United States from 1892 to 1895. This sojourn profoundly influenced his musical output, particularly his Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" and the "American" String Quartet. During his time in America, Dvořák immersed himself in the country's rich musical traditions, including African American spirituals and Native American melodies, which he incorporated into his compositions. This fusion of Old World classical techniques with New World inspirations resulted in some of his most celebrated works, leaving an indelible mark on both American and European musical landscapes.

History

Antonín Dvořák, the renowned 19th-century Czech composer, masterfully wove the vibrant tapestry of Bohemian and Moravian folk music into his classical compositions. This artistic fusion not only enriched his works but also played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Czech cultural identity during a time of political suppression. By elevating folk melodies and rhythms to the grand stages of European concert halls, Dvořák showcased the beauty of Czech musical heritage, instilling a sense of national pride and contributing to the broader Romantic movement's emphasis on folk culture.

Composer

Ludwig van Beethoven's gradual descent into deafness is one of the most poignant narratives in musical history. This article explores how the maestro's progressive hearing loss influenced his compositions and working methods, reshaping not only his own creative process but the very landscape of Western classical music. From his early struggles with tinnitus to his eventual complete deafness, Beethoven's journey through silence paradoxically gave birth to some of the most profound and revolutionary works in the classical canon.

Information