2 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra norwalksymphony.org 3

WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR

HARRY RILLING Norwalk Mayor

Congratulations to the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra on their 80th consecutive year! For eight decades, the Symphony has delighted audiences of all ages with the joyous wonder of live orchestral music. During this milestone 2019-2020 season, the Symphony has another fantastic lineup of concerts planned. These shows feature some of the top musicians in the area that will undoubtedly entertain and inspire. We are thrilled the Norwalk Symphony will once again perform in the magnificent Norwalk Concert Hall as they celebrate 80 years of beautiful music. The Symphony is more than just beautiful music – they are also an integral community partner with a long-standing commitment to providing educational opportunities for people of all ages. Members of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra share their gifts and talents through various community programming. The free and expanded (Not) Just for Kids program is an interactive and educational program that engages young people with the joys of listening to and creating music. A new pilot program this year aimed at middle and high school students will further expand the love of orchestral music into the lives of young people. We are so grateful for the beautiful music, brilliant performances, and enlightening discussions the Symphony brings the City of Norwalk and southwestern Connecticut every year. The Symphony is indeed an incredible asset to our community. Their strong relationship with the region is apparent through their programming and partnerships with a wide variety of other arts organizations. I urge the community to come out and enjoy the Symphony’s milestone 2019-2020 season. On their behalf, I thank the Board of Directors, Music Director and Conductor Jonathan Yates, the Norwalk Symphony musicians and the staff for their ongoing commitment to musical excellence. Sincerely,

Harry W. Rilling Mayor

norwalksymphony.org 5 Did You Know? Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are: • 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement • 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools • 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair • 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance

• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

6 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra THE NORWALK SYMPHONY SOCIETY, INC.

25 Van Zant Street, Suite 14-3, Norwalk, CT 06855 Telephone: 203.956.6771 Fax: 203.956.6774 www.norwalksymphony.org Email: [email protected]

2019-2020 Board of Governors

Christopher Bell, President Louis Broudy, Esq, Vice President Christopher McCormack, Vice President Eric Freeman, Treasurer Libby Mucci, Secretary

Douglas Adams Dr. Vanessa Smith Morest Richard Beyman Mary Petro Noonan Robert Bourguignon Ted Nussbaum Lawrence Cavanagh Warren Shapiro Lee Greenberg Darwin Shen David Hollander Eva Toft Charles Johnson Georgia von Schmidt Sarah E. Kelly Schuyler Winter Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell

Staff Jonathan Yates, Music Director & Conductor Sandra Miklave, Executive Director Katherine T. Altman, Business Manager Emanouil Manolov, Personnel Manager Scott Switzer, Librarian

norwalksymphony.org 7 8 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra ABOUT THE NORWALK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The mission of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra is to bring the joy of orchestral music to appreciative audiences of all ages. Since 1939, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra has enhanced the quality of life in Southwestern Connecticut. The symphony is a significant cultural organization that showcases talented musicians from the community as it enriches its audiences’ cultural experience through live performances, pre-concert discussions and educational activities for all ages. In addition to six major concerts this season, the Norwalk Symphony is committed to education and community outreach. (Not) Just for Kids is presented in after-school and library settings prior to each concert. The program features ensembles of our symphony musicians and gives children and adults alike a chance to experience music-making first hand. A new pilot program with middle and high school students is underway this season. In December, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra will accompany the New England Dance Theatre in their production of The Nutcracker—the only regional, live-music production outside of New York City. The 8th Annual Young Artists Festival and Concerto Competition in February provides an opportunity for students to be adjudicated on multiple levels, and the winner of the Concerto Competition will play their solo with the orchestra in our March concert. The symphony continues to strengthen and build lasting ties in our community, and we look forward to an exciting 2019-2020 season!

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR LIVE MUSIC? Nothing compares to the impact and impression of live music when it comes to enhancing a special occasion! The next time you host a celebration, whether large or small, consider hiring Norwalk Symphony Orchestra musicians to make your event extra-special. We’ll bring the best in entertainment to your family, corporate or private functions at reasonable rates. Choose from a variety of instrumental ensembles to suit your event needs, including duos, trios, quartets and more. Add that finishing touch to your special occasion and make it truly memorable with live music. Contact the symphony office at 203.956.6771 or by email at [email protected]

norwalksymphony.org 9 10 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra 2019–20 SEASON

NORWALK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES ITS 80th Season!

SEASON OPENER - Symphonic Journeys September 28, 2019 – 7:30pm Glière: Russian Sailor’s Dance; Bartok: Hungarian Pictures; Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Ravel: Tzigane – Introducing our new Concertmaster!

AMERICAN CONNECTIONS November 16, 2019 – 7:30pm Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue-Andy Armstrong, Piano soloist; Wagner: Seigfried Idyll with New England Academy of Dance; Songs of Ives and Ravel

JOYS OF THE SEASON: BAROQUE TO POPS December 14, 2019 – 5:00pm Handel: Messiah, Part 1 & Hallelujah Chorus; Holiday Favorites; Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker selections with New England Academy of Dance

BROADWAY – SOUTH PACIFIC! February 8, 2020 – 7:30pm

MUSIC FOR ALL AGES: MELODY AND MAGIC March 22, 2020 – 3:00pm Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice; Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 2020 Young Artists Festival Concerto Competition winner

SEASON FINALE – The Magic May 16, 2020 – 7:30pm Mozart: The Magic Flute

norwalksymphony.org 11 Please Join Us at Local Libraries for

Fridays at Norwalk City Hall – 4:45pm; Saturdays at: Norwalk Public Library – 11am New Canaan Public Library – 1pm Wilton Library – 3pm

September 20 & 21, 2019 * November 1 & 2, 2019 December 6 & 7, 2019 * January 31 & February 1, 2020 March 13 & 14, 2020 * May 8 & 9, 2020

12 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra MEET OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR

JONATHAN YATES Music Director/Conductor

Jonathan Yates is the seventh Music Director of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra since its inception in 1939. He he has been a driving force in reinvigorating the relationship between the symphony and its community, having inaugurated the NSO Free Chamber Concert Series, revived the orchestra’s popular (Not) Just for Kids Educational Outreach programs, and started collaborations with numerous local cultural, religious and civic organizations. He made his professional orchestral conducting debut at 23, leading the National Symphony Orchestra in a Millennium Stages Concert. The following year he made his Carnegie Hall debut as a pianist in the Isaac Stern Chamber Music Workshop. As Music Director of the Norwalk Youth Symphony, he has led that ensemble on successful tours to Spain, Germany, Carnegie Hall, and Tanglewood.

Jonathan recently completed his first season as Musical Director of Music Mountain, a preeminent chamber music festival in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut. The New Yorker praised his first year, saying, “The longtime festival’s programming has been given a welcome jolt with the arrival of a new director, the pianist and conductor Jonathan Yates.” He has collaborated as a pianist and conductor with many of the country’s most respected musicians, including Midori, Kim Kashkashian, David Finckel, Charles Neidich, Ida Kavafian, Colin Carr, Gilbert Kalish, Paul Neubauer, Joseph Lin, and William Purvis; and the Avalon, Daedalus and Pacifica Quartets. He has been heard as a chamber musician at the 92nd Street Y, Miller Theater, Bargemusic and Merkin Hall, as well as at the Caramoor Festival and on the Ravinia Festival Rising Stars Series. As an ardent devotee of the music of our time, he has conducted new music concerts with the Argento Chamber Ensemble and the Knights, was the recipient of an ASCAP award for adventurous programming, and has given local and regional premieres of pre-eminent composers including Augusta Read Thomas, Huang Ruo, Zhou Long, Chester Biscardi, and Chen Yi.

Jonathan received his Graduate Diploma in conducting from the Juilliard School, where he studied with James DePreist and Otto-Werner Mueller, and was the holder of the Bruno Walter Memorial Scholarship. He received his Master of Music from State University of New York, where he worked with Gilbert Kalish, and his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University, where he studied with Robert Levin. He serves as Music Director Emeritus of Camerata Notturna, a chamber orchestra in New York City, and has also served on the faculty of Sarah Lawrence College. He descends from a family that has been on the forefront of the battles for the cultural and humanistic life of our country. His grandfather, U.S. Representative Sidney R. Yates, was the principal defender of the National Endowment for the Arts in his 48 years in Congress, and his father, the Honorable Stephen R. Yates, was the first judge in Illinois to approve same-sex adoption.

norwalksymphony.org 13 14 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra norwalksymphony.org 15 THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra recognizes and thanks all who are so generous to help keep music vibrant and accessible in our community.

Maestro Sponsor - $25,000+ John & Doon Foster WEB Realty Company Lee Greenberg Dana Kligerman $20,000+ Charles Johnson & Jennifer Mirsky Baum Family Foundation Sarah Kelly & Lorcan O’Connor The Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts Millicent Mason Chris & Terri Bell Matt & Sandra Miklave Libby & Wayne Mucci Adolph & Gloria Neaderland Season Sponsor - $10,000+ James & Mary Noonan Inisfad Foundation—Lawrence Cavanagh & Colleen & Steve Prostor Dr. Eleanor Riemer Georgia von Schmidt Louis & Sylvia Broudy – In honor of Anita Behnken Debra Yates – In Honor of Jonathan Yates Lucinda Knuth John C. Meditz Patron - $500+ Anonymous Concert Sponsor - $5,000+ Jeffrey Bassock DECD/Connecticut-Office of the Arts Alexandra Baudoin Supporting Arts in Place Jan Berlage Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Gary Constance Foundation, Inc. Suzanne Fandel Fairfield County Bank Peter & Nancy Flournoy Maurice Goodman Foundation Jeffrey Hyman David & Eunice Bigelow Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell Barry & Akiko Silver Dominick & Michele Modugno Ned Tipton Sponsor - $3,000+ Dale & Noriko Todaro Bucks Creek Foundation Robert Uly New Canaan Community Foundation Nicole Von Dolen Pullman & Comley Drs. Susan & Norman Weinberger Webster Private Bank Estate of Anita Behnken Robert Bourguignon Supporter - $250+ General Electric Foundation James & Susan Carter Anonymous Christopher & Sarah McCormack Thomas & Carol Aikenhead Viktoria Bombardi Wilson Benefactor - $1,000+ Douglas Boothroyd Elizabeth Raymond Ambler Trust Jacob & Etty Bousso Dampits International-David & Tair Hollander Maura Callahan & Peter Johnson DECD/Connecticut-Office of the Arts Access Grant Yoshie Akimoto Eldredge DECD/Connecticut-Office of the Arts – Alison Gruseke Arts Endowment Syma Gruss & Henry Diamond – Dooney & Bourke In Honor of Anita Behnken Fairfield County’s Community Foundation – Robert Hoffman NSO Endowment Rhonda Kiest Morgan Stanley Donor Advised Fund Lauren Lynfield Network for Good Michael Mushak Norwalk Community Benefit Fund Gregory & Maribeth Payne People’s Bank Novelette Peterkin Ruth Krauss Foundation, Inc. TJ & Earl Ragins Sayles and Maddocks Family Foundation Steve & Elaine Rust Schwab Charitable Fund Vicki Secrest Douglas Adams Elliot & Marguerite Sisson Carlotta & Charles Bell - In Honor of Chris Bell Schuyler & Patty Winter Richard & Michelle Beyman Wojtek & Magdalena Zajak Russ Cooper & Phyllis Schnepf Carl & Eunice Feinberg – In Memory of Anita Behnken

16 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Good Friend - $100+ Leda Santos Anonymous Alfred Scull Benevity Community Impact Fund – George & Madeline Shepherd Matching Gift from United Health Group Kathie Sumrow Vincent & Elizabeth Aitoro Arthur Tauder Millette Alexander Eva Toft Martin & Monica Arnold Priscilla Woyke Richard & Antoinette Bain Jennifer Bangser Friend - Up to $99 Jerome Barton A2Z LLC Wendy Baskin Amazon Smile Foundation Brad & Nancy Benjamin PayPal Giving Fund Douglas & Lorene Bora Sara T. Wahls Charity Fund – Chris Brubeck In Memory of Anita Behnken Lawrence Cafero Katherine Altman Henry & Mary Ellen Cavanna Todd Boe Anna Chase Chanda Brodnax-Nino Rebecca Christopherson Andrea J. Brown Bill Collins & Elizabeth Gibbs Eileen Buckley Charlotte Cooper Luis & Diane Cano Mary-Patricia Cottrell Daniel & Tucker Chase Josephine Deupree James & Susan Cooper Anne Downey – In Honor of Lawrence Cavanagh Frederick Cort Therese Egan Nina Crothers Eloise Epstein Edward & Diane Donovan Nancy Everson Michael Dorfsman William & Joyce Filip Alan & Gertrude Dubrow Dr. John Fitzpatrick Archie Elam Dianne Flagello Dr. Richard Epstein Harriet Flehinger Arthur & Ellen Gang Dr. Ed Fleischli Anna Hersom Joe Hsu – In Memory of Anita Behnken Linda K. Johnson Bruce Ipe Constance Keavney Carol Johnson Bruce Kimmel & Kay Anderson Margaret Kelley Louise LaChance Dr. David & Evan Levinson Mildred Lasker David & Suzanne McCollum Benita Lauri Robert & Elizabeth McGrath Irwin Lebish Salvatore & Mary Beth Molllica Sondra Limeburner Ryan Murawski Melissa Mayernik Dr. Rhoda Nair James McKeon Juan Negroni Marlene Powers Kenneth Ng John Pritting Daniel V & Elsa Peterson Obuchowski Dr. David Romeo Chauncey & Carla Olinger Polly Sartori Kristi Patterson Eleanor Searlers Jane Plant Paul Serenbetz Frederick Post & Sabra Gallo Tara Tanzer Judith Rafael Corinne Tolles Diane Ratcliffe Mitchell Verzi Harry & Lucia Rilling William Walbert Nancy Romberg Robert Welsh Sara Ross – In Honor of David & Linda Ross Holly Wheeler John & Kate Russo Gunnar Sahlin & Suzanne Corey-Sahlin – In Memory of Anne Rorick & Arlette Werner Sandra Samuels

norwalksymphony.org 17 THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

The Norwalk Symphony thanks the organizations and individuals that sponsored and purchased ads for the 80th Anniversary Gala – We couldn’t have done it without you!

Conductor - $10,000+ $500+ Horizon Kinetics Suzanne Fandel WEB Realty Company Graybarns Interstate & Lakeland Lumber Concertmaster - $5,000+ King Industries Fairfield County Bank MBI, Inc.

Musician - $2,500+ $250+ Dooney & Bourke AAA Band Rentals The Sono Collection Garavel Subaru Wilmington Trust Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Maura Callahan & Peter Johnson John M. Glover Insurance Agency Dr. Richard Epstein & Ms. Ina Chadwick The Gruss Family Drs. Susan and Norman Weinberger Isaac Halsey David Westmoreland & Michael Mushak Maplewood Senior Living Mitchells $1,000+ Partners Café Aiello Foundation Presbury & Associations LLC George & Carol Bauer Norwalk YMCA Bigelow Tea Shoff Darby Insurance Agency Robinson & Cole Rick’s Main Roofing

The Norwalk Symphony’s Young Artists Festival & Concerto Competition will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT

For details and an application to each event, please visit: http://www.norwalksymphony.org/young-artist-festival-1

18 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra The Norwalk Orchestra Plays A Symphony of Thanks to our Volunteers!

Mary Petro Noonan— Volunteer Committee Chairperson

We appreciate all the help we receive through-out the Season

Brett Altman Thomas Ebersold Marilyn & Ted Fecenko Barbara Millar Barry Olmezer Arlene Rosenthal Marge Hickey Gloria Lau Ruth Waldman Beverly Whiddon

And special thanks to our Summer Intern Austin Xie

Come Join Us! Interested in becoming a volunteer with the Norwalk Symphony? Call us at 203.956.6771 or email: [email protected]

norwalksymphony.org 19 A2Z LLC A Technology Company Angelo Zullo

10 St. Charles Street Thornwood, NY 10594 914.602.4157 [email protected] The Norwalk Symphony OrchestraIs pleased to support the Norwalk Community College Food Pantry To end student food insecurity. Thank you for your donations!

20 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Journeys Saturday, September 28, 2019 – 7:30 pm

Russian Sailors’ Dance Reinhold Glière from The Red Poppy, Op. 70 (1875-1956)

Hungarian Pictures, Sz. 97. Béla Bartók (1881-1945)

Tzigane Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Krzysztof Kuznik, violin

intermission

Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Un poco sostenuto-Allegro Andante sostenuto Un poco Allegretto e grazioso Adagio-Più Andante – Allegro non troppo ma con brio

Join us in the Community Room after the performance to meet the musicians of the Norwalk Symphony, Krzysztof Kuznik and Jonathan Yates.

Thank you to the Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project for hosting the reception!

norwalksymphony.org 21 2019-2020 – Our 17th Season

Saturday, October 26, 2019* Norwalk Concert Hall! Mussorgsky – Night on Bald Mountain Rachmaninoff – Piano Cto #1 with Will Duchon Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 5-Reformation Christopher James Hisey, Music Director 11th Concerto Competition February 22 & 23, 2020 Concerts at 7:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church* Saturday, March 7, 2020 2475 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT Beethoven – Leonore Overture #3 Elgar – Cello Concerto with Gjorj Kroqi Tickets & Information at Cadwallader – Symphony No. 5 www.americanchamberorchestra.org Saturday, June 6, 2020 *Unless noted differently Rossini – Barber of Seville Winners of the Concerto Competition Watch for details!

22 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra ORCHESTRA ROSTER

Jonathan Yates Music Director & Conductor

Violin 1 Krzysztof Kuznik, Concertmaster Charles Huang, Principal Emanouil Manolov, Ass’t. Concertmaster Karen Blundell Mariya Polishchuk – Dr. Emanuel Knishkowy Chair Claudia Tondi Kathleen Rimlinger, Principal Marina Kitaychik Janet Atherton Leo Ficks – Lewis Wilker Chair Cameron Chase Stephanie Liu Scott Switzer, Principal Richard Epstein Violin 2 Susanne Chen Nina Crothers, Principal Corinne Metter, Ass’t. Principal French Matthew Woodard Bryan Meyer, Principal Ludmila Gufeld Daniel Shapiro Marianne Volpi Katherine Mason Marjorie Freilich-Den Cody Halquist

Viola Suzanne Corey-Sahlin, Principal – Charles Johnson, Principal Dr. Louis G. Simon Chair Robert Patrick Amy Selig, Ass’t. Principal Christopher McCormack Ryu Mitsuhashi Nicholas Martin, Principal Cathy Dillon Kevin Casey Elaine Arnow James Marbury

Cello Gunnar Sahlin, Principal Aidan Zimmermann, Principal Justin Elkins, Ass’t. Principal Jane Lawson Harp Sara Bennett Wolfe Wendy Kerner, Principal Andrew Borkowski Bass Peter Hohmeister, Principal Alexander Svensen, Principal Kevin Huhn, Ass’t. Principal David Uhl Percussion Kevin Zetina, Principal Arlo Shultis Flute Kathie Sumrow, Principal Caitrin-Ann Massoud Stage Manager Scott Mesh

norwalksymphony.org 23 PROGRAM NOTES

the death of Lenin in 1924, was that Stalin “Russian Sailors’ Dance” from supported freedom and loved the workers of The Red Poppy Russia. The Red Poppy was a huge success and —Reinhold Glière ran over 100 performances in 18 months. Within Born January 11, 1875 [Old Style December 30, a few decades, it had been produced in all of the 1874], in Kiev, Russian Empire major cities of the U.S.S.R. It was expanded for Died June 23, 1956, in Moscow, Soviet Union a 1957 revival in Moscow. As recently as 2010, it was performed on a Russian stage. This work was premiered on June 4, 1927, at The end of Act One is the famous “Russian Sailors’ the Bolshoi Theater, in Moscow, Soviet Union, Dance”—originally entitled “Dance of the Sailors conducted by Yuri Fayer. It is scored for piccolo, from the Soviet Ship.” It is based on a folk song two . two , English horn, two , entitled Yablochko, or Little Apple, which is a bass clarinet, two , contrabassoon, four satirical song dealing with hot political issues of horns, three , three , tuba, the Revolution. No apples are involved, despite timpani, percussion, strings. the title. Glière’s music involves and introduction, Born Reinhold Ernest Glier to a family of a statement of the melody in the basses, a set of instrument makers originally from Saxony, 12 variations, and a stirring climax. he began musical studies in Kiev at 16, but transferred to the Moscow Conservatory three ©2019 Orpheus Music Prose & Craig Doolin, years later. Among his teachers were Anton www.orpheusnotes.com Arensky, Sergei Taneyev, and Mikhail Ippolitov- Ivanov. Upon graduation in 1900, he changed his name to Reinhold Moritzevich Glière, which Hungarian Pictures, Sz. 97 reflects the Russian custom of including his – Béla Bartók father’s given name as part of his middle name. Born March 25, 1881, Nagyszentmiklós, Hungary He quickly obtained a position at the Gnesin Died September 26, 1945, New York, New York School of Music in Moscow, where he taught a young Prokofiev. Four movements of this work were premiered After a few early successes in Moscow—most on January 24, 1932, in Budapest, Hungary, by notably the symphony Ilya Muromets and the the Budapest Concert Orchestra conducted symphonic poem Sireny—Glière was appointed by Massimo Freccia. The first complete to the faculty of the Kiev Conservatory in 1913, performance was on November 26, 1934, which led the following year to becoming its in Budapest by the Philharmonic Society director. Soon after the Russian Revolution, he Orchestra conducted by Heinrich Laber. It is was called back to the Moscow Conservatory, scored for piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, two where he taught for 20 years. clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, two trombones, tuba, In 1927 Glière was asked to compose music for timpani, percussion, harp, and strings. an important ballet. Billed as the first Soviet Hungarian composer Béla Bartók had a dedication ballet on a revolutionary subject, Krasy mak, to music that rivals that of any composer. He had or The Red Poppy, is set in three acts and eight a burning interest in the folk music of Hungary, tableaux with an apotheosis at the end. The story Romania, and the other countries of Eastern takes place at a seaport in China, where many Europe. The area was so rich with folk music that ships are docked. The Soviet captain feels sorry Bartók felt the need to collect and codify it, so he for Chinese dock slaves and tries to rescue them. set out in the early years of the twentieth century A Chinese dancer notices his efforts and gives with a wax cylinder recorder to visit some of the him a red poppy to symbolize her love. Her fiancé world’s most remote villages. His recordings are becomes jealous and orders her to murder the still valuable to researchers today, as many of captain. She refuses and sacrifices her life for the the traditions recorded therein have been lost captain. As she dies, she gives a red poppy to a to modern ideas of progress. little Chinese girl to symbolize love and freedom. In his concert music, Bartók’s dedication Although it seems that the story could symbolize reaches a new level. He believed that one of the breaking free from the Soviet yoke, the opinion prime indicators of musical worth is its structure, of the Russian people in 1927, especially after

24 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra PROGRAM NOTES so he filled his works with structural elements Serving as the placid center of the work, the that continue to amaze researchers. Many of movement simply entitled “Melody” comes his works reflect mathematical principles. For from the Four Dirges, op 9a. Strings play a instance, Bartók often used the Golden Ratio lovely pentatonic melody at the outset, which of 1.618, a phenomenon that occurs in nature, soon passes to the clarinet and oboe. The but was also used by the ancient Greeks as movement builds to a climax, but ends quietly an important element of design. In his music, with a mysterious flute melody. major events – changes of keys, dynamics, or formal sections – often occur 61.8% of the “A Bit Tipsy” comes from Three Burlesques, way through a work. This often goes much op. 8c, composed in 1911. It is a depiction of a further with the same ratio occurring within staggering drunk person, complete with burp-like the resulting sections. Much has been written interjections from the tuba. of these relationships for those who wish to pursue the fascinating subject even further. The finale, “Ürög Swineherd’s Dance,” is from , vol. 2, No. 40. Listen for the lively Bartók’s output is vast and varied. He composed woodwinds and the unexpected imitation of stage works, including the psychological a bagpipe. opera Duke Bluebeard’s Castle and the ballet . For the piano, his ©2019 Orpheus Music Prose & Craig Doolin own instrument, he composed three concerti www.orpheusnotes.com and numerous solo works, including the multi- volume educational series entitled . There are numerous chamber works (his six string Tzigane quartets are the most significant since Beethoven) – Maurice Ravel and pieces for orchestra, culminating in the Born March 7, 1875, in Ciboure, famous Concerto for Orchestra composed on Basses-Pyrénées, France his deathbed during the final stages of leukemia. Died December 28, 1937, in Paris The early 1930s found Bartók with little money and few prospects. His ultramodern musical style, The original version of this work was premiered although it seems tame nowadays, was too new on April 26, 1924, with violinist Jelly d’Aranyi. She for many orchestras who feared lower ticket sales was also soloist at the premiere of the orchestral if new music was programmed. The composer had version on November 30, 1924, by the Colonne a real dilemma – how could he make a living with Orchestra with Gabriel Pierné conducting. The no demand for new works? Bartók’s solution was score calls for piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, ingenious; he would orchestrate his earlier piano two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, rumpet, works. Since the musical style of these works was percussion, harp, celesta and strings. less modern and relied more on the folk music Maurice Ravel was born thirteen years after he had collected, the orchestrations would be Claude Debussy but, despite ardent admiration able to get performances and radio broadcasts. for his elder colleague’s music, followed his own path. His dealings with authority figures were Bartók’s Hungarian Sketches, sometimes called never pleasant, as Ravel worked at his own Hungarian Pictures, is one of the pieces drawn pace and did not conform to deadlines set by his early body of work. There are five movements others. Having entered the Paris Conservatoire loosely adapted from four works dating from 1908- at age fourteen, he would be dismissed from the 1911. The first piece, “Evening in Transylvania,” institution three times before ending his quest was originally No. 5 from the Ten Easy Pieces of for a degree. Students were required to win the 1908. It opens with an evocative clarinet solo, school’s competitions in order to gain approval followed by a passage for flute. Oboe and piccolo for further studies. First as a pianist, then as a take over these themes. The piece concludes with composer, Ravel failed to win. Then in 1905, upon the woodwinds and string chords. reaching the thirty year age limit for competing, The next movement, “Bear Dance,” also comes he was eliminated in the first round. from the same volume of piano pieces. A forceful By this time in his career, he was already active bass ostinato supports a folk dance theme in with the Société Nationale de Musique, having the woodwinds. composed several works that still appear on concerts. As unseemly as it might be, all of the norwalksymphony.org 25 PROGRAM NOTES

finalists were students of the same teacher, from techniques used by folk violinists from that who also served as a judge. In what was called culture. The work opens with a magnificent solo the Affaire Ravel, the French newspapers cadenza, after which the orchestra enters. Tzigane published reports of these new indiscretions requires the soloist to produce many spectacular at the Conservatoire, forcing the resignation of techniques, including multiple stops, glissandi, the director and placing Gabriel Fauré at the fast harmonics, and left-hand pizzicato effects school’s helm. while bowing a fast arpeggio with the right hand. The effect is breathtaking. As expected, the fast Two events in Ravel’s life influenced his music section is a Franco-Hungarian tour-de-force. profoundly. His trip to New York in the 1920s cemented the jazz flavor his works had recently ©2019 Orpheus Music Prose & Craig Doolin shown. Most of Ravel’s late works bear the mark www.orpheusnotes.comSymphony of this journey. However, even more influential was the Paris World’s Fair of 1899 and 1900. Many examples of culture from the Orient were No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68 displayed in the mammoth exposition, and many artists and composers utilized aspects of Eastern – Johannes Brahms style in their works as a result. Claude Debussy Born May 7, 1833, in Hamburg, Germany and Maurice Ravel feasted upon this oriental Died April 3, 1897, in Vienna, Austria smorgasbord with great delight. The exotic became a source of great inspiration to many This work was first performed on November 4, composers of the day. Sometimes inspiration 1876, at the Grand Ducal Theater in Karlsruhe, for exotic topics was not very far away. The Germany, conducted by Otto Dessoff. It is impressionists adored Spanish subjects, even scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, though the Iberian Peninsula is just west of France. two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani, and strings. Another division of exoticism has nothing to do with geographical location. Different mindsets, After Beethoven’s death in 1827, composers religions, lifestyles, and superstitions all found were held to an almost unattainable standard. their way into works of art. Chief among these The shadow cast by his nine symphonies, a was the exotic, even forbidden, charm of the monolithic body of work, intimidated many wandering Gypsy. Even though Liszt and Brahms composers, causing some to delay their first had composed works inspired by Gypsy songs efforts in the genre until later in life. Johannes and dances these unusual sounds still enticed Brahms, although a successful composer in his composers and audiences. Ravel’s introduction twenties, did not compose his Symphony No. 1 to Gypsy music came in 1922 when he met until he was forty-three. Perhaps he explained it Hungarian violinist Jelly d’Aranyi at a private best, “I shall never compose a symphony. You concert in England. He was captivated by her have no idea how it feels to hear behind you the performance of his Sonata for violin and cello tramp of a giant like Beethoven.” and requested that she play him some authentic As early as 1862, Brahms had sketched some Gypsy music. After several hours of this evocative of the material he would later use in his First music, Ravel knew he had to compose for this Symphony. Granted, the pressure to complete talented player, the grand-niece of Joseph a symphony was always palpable, but the Joachim, who had already received numerous intimidating comparisons to Beethoven that works from leading composers – Bartok’s sonatas would inevitably be raised gave Brahms little among them. In April, 1924, Ravel sent her the peace. He was expected, like all composers of his score for his Tzigane, scored for violin and lutheal day to contribute to the century-old symphonic (essentially a piano modified to sound like a Gypsy tradition. Finally, when he was offered a position in hammered dulcimer). Two days after receiving Düsseldorf, he resolved to overcome the barriers it, she premiered the work. Ravel orchestrated and write a symphony as a symbolic capstone to Tzigane that July. his Viennese experience. Although he ultimately Tzigane (the Hungarian word for “Gypsy”) is in declined the Düsseldorf position and remained in one movement, but is essentially a free-form Vienna after all, Brahms completed the symphony. series of exotic dances fitting loosely into a two- Premiered in the small burg of Karlsruhe, the part slow-fast framework. Ravel did not attempt work was not received enthusiastically. Noted to duplicate authentic Gypsy music, but drew

26 Norwalk Symphony Orchestra PROGRAM NOTES critic Eduard Hanslick, that endless font of The andante sostenuto is a placid moment of unfavorable criticism, wrote, “Brahms seems repose, with solo woodwinds playing a prominent too willing to sacrifice sensuous beauty to the role from the outset, only to be interrupted cultivation of greatness and seriousness, severity, by stormy moments near the end. The third and complexity.” However, some important movement replaces the scherzo of Beethoven and listeners understood. Conductor Hans von the minuet of Haydn and Mozart with a restrained Bülow, after hearing the work, recognized it as ABA form. Brahms, known for his Beethovenian a logical progression of the symphonic tradition rustic humor, was once asked whether one of the from Beethoven and labeled it “the Tenth” – an themes from the third movement was based on a obvious reference to the next step Beethoven melody composed by Beethoven – to which his might have taken after finishing the Ninth. answer was “even an ass can hear that.” The symphony opens with a grandiose After a powerful and languid introduction, the introduction, tinged with deep melancholy. finale unfolds with its familiar stately theme. Notice how the highest and lowest sounds After an extensive development section, the converge – the top descending while the bottom main theme returns, building in intensity to the ascends in a sort of musical wedge shape, all wonderfully overwrought closing measures. cemented together by the relentless pulse of the timpani. This leads directly to the main allegro © 2019 Orpheus Music Prose & Craig Doolin section, masterfully cast in sonata form. After www.orpheusnotes.com introducing new themes, there is a return of material from the introduction.

Our custom program notes have been used by dozens of orchestras coast to coast from LA’s Disney Hall to New York’s Lincoln Center, from the New England Conservatory to University of Southern California, and border to border from Ontario, Canada to San Antonio, Texas.

Musicologist Craig Doolin’s approach is friendly, yet astute. Along with Drs. Frank and Karin Pendle and Dr. Catherine Roma, Craig is a co-author of A City That Sings: Cincinnati’s Choral Tradition 1800-2012 (May 2012, Orange Frazer Press). Call 513.266-6049 or email [email protected]

Learn more at www.orpheusnotes.com. Samples are available at the website and in this program.

norwalksymphony.org 27 GUEST ARTIST

Krzysztof was a violinist for the Paderewski Trio when the ensemble won the 32nd Artists International competition, which resulted in Trio making its NY debut on November 7th, 2004, at the Weill Recital Hall.

Mr. Kuznik made his NY solo debut in November 2002 performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto in G minor at the Symphony Space. He was praised by Strad magazine for his “...honest and musical account.” KRZYSZTOF KUZNIK Among Krzysztof’s numerous awards are Violin Tadeusz Wronski Violin Competition and Young Artists European Competition. Krzysztof began playing violin at the age of seven in his native Poland. He In addition to his already very busy continued his studies at the Joseph schedule, Mr Kuznik often substitutes Elsner School of Music in Warsaw. He is with New York Philharmonic orchestra. a graduate of Fryderyk Chopin University He also often substitutes on Broadway. of Music and Manhattan School of Aladdin, Anastasia, Frozen, Hello Dolly Music where he was a recipient of the and Les Miserables are now part of full scholarship (BM in 1999 and MM in his repertoire. For the past decade, 2001). Mr. Kuznik has been serving on Krzysztof has filled in many times for the faculty at Manhattan School of Music the Norwalk Symphony. Precollege Division for over 16 years. From 2017 he is also a faculty member In the fall of 2017, Krzysztof started his at JCC Thurnauer School of Music in collaboration with Russian-born pianist Tenafly, NJ. Yulia Dusman, shortly after they formed Duo Trouvaille. In less than 2 years of In 1998, while being a founding existence, Duo Trouvaille has already member of the Elsner String Quartet, performed at major concert halls such Krzysztof was invited to perform at the as The DiMenna Center for Classical Amadeus Quartet’s 50th anniversary gala Music, Ann Goodman Recital Hall, in London. Opera America Center and Merkin Hall among other venues. Kurierplus praised Mr. Kuznik appeared in numerous Duo Trouvaille for its “uncompromising television and radio broadcasts in virtuosity, sense of style, artistic Europe and U.S., including regular unity and magnetic personality of live broadcasts on New York classical performers.” Duo Trouvaille’s mission station WQXR. In NYC, he appeared is to introduce audiences to incredible at famous venues such as Merkin Hall, music that is either new, unknown or Kosciuszko Foundation, 92nd Street rarely performed. Such efforts resulted Y, Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall at in the “Caravanserai” concert last Carnegie Hall among others. He has also performed at Wigmore Hall in London and Gewandhaus in Leipzig.

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March. The program included music by Reza Vali (Iran), Ahmet Adnan Saygun composers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, (Turkey) and Karen Khachaturian Iran, Turkey and China and was met (Armenia). Duo Trouvaille’s next concert by NY audiences with an enormous is scheduled for November 3rd at Marc enthusiasm which called for the Scorca Hall at Opera America Center in recording of their first CD “Urartu.” This NYC. For more information about Duo album will be available for purchase in Trouvaille, please visit their website: October 2019 and will feature music by www.duotrouvaille.net.

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