Saturday Night ClassicsSaturday, October 24, 2020 at 7:30 PM | Holland Center

Ernest Richardson, conductor

listener’s guide

GIUSEPPE VERDI(1813-1901)

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY(1840-1893)

JOHN WILLIAMS(b. 1932)

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK(1841-1904)

SAMUEL BARBER(1910-1981)

EDVARD GRIEG(1843-1907)

MODEST MUSSORGSKY(1839-1881)

IGOR STRAVINSKY(1882-1971)

Overture to La forza del destino

Symphony No. 6

“Sayuri’s Theme” from Memoirs of a Geisha

Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”

Adagio for Strings

In the Hall of the Mountain King

Night on Bald Mountain

Suite from The Firebird (1919)

2020 - 2021 SEASONCelebrating 100 Years

1

I: Adagio—Allegro molto

III: Allegro molto vivace

III: Infernal Dance of King Kaschchei V: Finale

listener’s guide

GIUSEPPE VERDIOverture to La forza del destino

An opera overture turned symphony staple: at times thrilling, alarming, romantic, nerve-wracking, and triumphant.

You won’t be able to miss: The brass section, acting as Fate, opening the piece (and our program) with six resounding chords.

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique”

Tchaikovsky’s last symphony, nicknamed “Pathétique,” is filled with moments of incredible emotion, from passion to anguish.

This movement, however, is a triumphant march that ends so resoundingly, it’s become a symphony tradition to clap afterwards (even though it’s not the end of the symphony!)

JOHN WILLIAMS “Sayuri’s Theme” from Memoirs of a Geisha

One of John Williams’ most gorgeous cinematic scores. The original soundtrack features Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman.

You won’t be able to miss: Solos for Principal Flute Maria Harding and Assistant Principal Oboe Heather Baxter

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁKSymphony No. 9, “From the New World”

Dvořák came to America in 1892, invited to head the National Conservatory of Music in NYC. He traveled extensively (including, famously, to Spillville, Iowa) and listened extensively to local music.

Where you’ve heard it:On the moon?! Neil Armstrong took Dvořák’s “New World” along on the Apollo 11 mission for the very first landing in 1969!

Dvořák’s assistant, Harry Burleigh, was a Black baritone who introduced Dvořák to spirituals like “Go Down Moses” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” – music that would be woven into the fabric of Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony.

HEAR ITIN THE

MOVIES

You can find Tchaikovsky’s Sixth featured in The Aviator and The Death of Stalin.

listener’s guide

2

listener’s guide

SAMUEL BARBERAdagio for Strings

Arguably the most famous strings-only work in the orchestral repertoire, Barber’s Adagio has become a universal go-to for mourning, historical remembrance, and nearly indescribable beauty. Its melody stretches endlessly throughout the work, moving from one string section to another.

Where you’ve heard it:It was performed at the funerals of F.D.R, J.F.K, and Princess Grace. Prominent film usage includes Platoon and The Elephant Man. Ironically, the Adagio is wildly popular as an EDM arrangement by Dutch artist DJ Tiësto.

EDVARD GRIEGPeer Gynt Suite: In the Hall of the Mountain King

Where haven’t you heard it:ELO, Rick Wakeman, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, The Who – all people/bands who have covered or used Mountain King. Bugs Bunny, Courage the Cowardly Dog, How the Grinch Stole Christmas; if the plot is associated with mischief, mayhem, or trouble afoot – or chocolate candy at Halloween – you can bet Mountain King’s been used for it.

“Slay him! The Christian man’s son has seduced/ the fairest maid of the Mountain King! / Slay him! Slay him! / May I hack him on the fingers? / May I tug him by the hair? / Hu, hey, let me bite him in the haunches! / Shall he be boiled into broth and beer to me / Shall he roast on a spit or be browned in a stewpan? / Ice to your blood, friends!”

This piece is so widely known, loved, and shared in popular culture that you could almost forget that it’s real classical music! Mountain King is a piece from Grieg’s set of incidental music for a play by Henrik Ibsen. In this particular movement, the protagonist – Peer Gynt, who is, literally, the worst - has seduced the Mountain King’s daughter and people are, ah, not pleased. Tension builds and builds until Peer is chased rather enthusiastically by the King and his people. There are lyrics!

MODEST MUSSORGSKYNight on Bald Mountain

If you’re still traumatized by the original Fantasia, this might have a lot to do with it. This classic fantasy for orchestra has everything: dancing demons, huge brass sections, and the very fortunate dawn of a new day.Want to get funky with it? The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack has a fun take with “Night on Disco Mountain.” What’s most sad is that Mussorgsky never got to hear this work himself – it was published after his death. Perhaps… perhaps it scared him, too!

IGOR STRAVINSKYFirebird Suite

Firebird is the ballet that launched Stravinsky’s career – an incredible collaboration between himself and choreographer Sergei Diaghilev, centered around Russian magic and folklore.

Where you’ve heard it:Fantasia 2000! Although much less scary than the Stravinsky Rite of Spring depiction from the original Fantasia, Disney really knows how to get your heartrate up.

You won’t be able to miss: The bubbling energy of the percussion, bassoons, and low strings, and the explosive hits in upper strings, brass, and woodwinds. The triumphant solos for Principal French Horn Brett Hodge, Principal Flute Maria Harding, and Concertmaster Susanna Perry Gilmore.

2 3