Russian Masters

Thursday, March 10, 2016 - Sunday, March 13, 2016

Belding Theater at The Bushnell

Thursday at 7:30pm
Friday & Saturday at 8pm
Sunday at 3pm

Prokofiev
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25
Tchaikovsky
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
Prokofiev
Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, Op.100

Featuring
Carolyn Kuan, conductor

Simone Porter, violin

Carolyn Kuan and the HSO interpret the red-hot and icy-cool works of two iconic Russian masters! Inspired by his conducting studies of Haydn and Mozart, Prokofiev’s first symphony is known as the “Classical” and remains one of his most popular and beloved works. Written while in a Soviet safe haven during World War II, Prokofiev described his fifth symphony as “a hymn to free and happy Man, to his mighty powers, his pure and noble spirit.” One of the best-known violin concerti in the repertoire, Tchaikovsky’s is widely considered as one of the most technically difficult works for the instrument.

Please join us for a pre-concert talk, led by HSO Music Director Carolyn Kuan, one hour prior to curtain each day.

---

NEW! Read some fun facts about Masterworks in HSO’s Prelude:

Masterworks #6: Russian Masters – Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major

---

The return of Casey’s Classics
Recommended recordings for your listening pleasure!

Curious about what you will be hearing on the concert program, or want to hear more? Coleman Casey, HSO’s dear friend, Director Emeritus and beloved in-house audiophile, offers the following recommendations for recordings of selections featured on our upcoming Masterworks Concert:

Happily, both Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony and his Symphony No. 5 appear together on a classic and still the greatest recording of this combination by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. (DG)

It’s hard to find a poor recording of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, as every great violinist and orchestra have recorded it, but a personal favorite is with Vadim Repin and Valery Gergiev conducting the Kirov Orchestra (PHILIPS), an all-Russian production in excellent sound.

---

Notes with composers’ biographical information and detailed remarks about the musical selections on the program compiled by a musicologist are available in the playbill for all Masterworks and Classical Connections.

Buy Tickets

Want to renew your subscription? Call 860-987-5900 today.

Masterworks Series Sponsor

The Koski Memorial Concert

• Previous
• Next