The live symphonic experience captivates us with the same sort of "adventure in our seat" that we get from the movies - taking us on a journey through the emotions. Composers have always been fascinated with a sense of drama and victory, and our season opener, "Heroism with Heart" showcases this inspiration in a powerful trio of pieces.
Launching our adventure is Beethoven's Overture to Fidelio, in which the heroine Leonore disguises herself as a man to rescue Florestan from unjust imprisonment. Beethoven actually composed four overtures to his only opera: the first three were entitled "Leonore" Overtures, and the present curtain raiser was the composer's final word on the subject. We're grabbed by the initial "teaser," moved by the ensuing lyricism, and stirred by the fervent drive to final victory.
In Bruch's celebrated Violin Concerto the soloist becomes our heroine with her sizzling virtuosity and all-encompassing emotional range - and what a fabulous soloist! Young Elena Urioste - of Mexican-Basque heritage, prizewinner of the Sphinx Competition - has been enthralling audiences as she tours the globe.
Near the end of World War II Prokofiev created one of the twentieth century's masterpieces with his Fifth Symphony. Welcome news of a recent victory over the Third Reich came during the premiere, and the audience burst into spontaneous applause. We bring our own experiences of the many guises of heroism to this orchestral epic, as Prokofiev leads us through a dramatic and powerful first movement, shows his witty and sarcastic side in the second, evokes the soaring romanticism of his Romeo and Juliet in the third, and projects sassy ebullience in his infectious finale.
We have a really exciting season in front of us with outstanding guest artists, so as the lights dim, sit back and be transported by the pure inspiration of the music.
