Verdi, Mendelssohn, and Mahler

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

When Stefan Jackiw was 14, I invited him to perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London. After the rehearsal, one of the cellists said to me, “I have been in this orchestra for 25 years, and have heard virtually every major violinist. But that was the most beautiful Mendelssohn I have heard.” That was 20 years ago. Stefan’s career now takes him around the world. But I feel it is time for him to come home to inspire the next generation of musicians in the BPYO. It is only fitting that he performs with us, once again, the Mendelssohn concerto.

The program begins with the dramatic overture to Verdi’s opera Forza del destino. The program concludes with Mahler’s First Symphony. It is arguably the most original first symphony ever composed, from its magical evocation of dawn at the opening to the thrilling climax of its vast Finale. This symphony—teeming with quotations from his first song cycle, the Songs of a Wayfarer—tells the story of his youthful hero's absorption with nature, his adventures, trials, and ultimate triumph. -Benjamin Zander

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi La Forza Del Destino Overture -8 minutes

• The overture to Verdi's opera La Forza Del Destino is part of standard orchestra repertoire.
• The opera's title is often translated as The Force of Destiny. It was first performed on November 10, 1862 in Saint Petersberg, Russia. The libretto for the opera is based on a Spanish drama, Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino.

Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto -26 minutes

• Felix Mendelssohn’s final, large orchestral work and one of the most popular violin concertos (Want to know what a concerto is?)
• Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 was begun in 1838 and was not completed and premiered until 1845 in Leipzig, Germany.
• To this day it is considered one of the great violin concertos and is essential repertoire for all aspiring violinists.
• Harvard and New England Conservatory alum, Stefan Jackiw, one of the U.S.'s foremost violinists praised by the Washington Post for possessing "Talent that's off the scale" will join the Boston Philharmonic to lend his talents to the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto.
• Listen to Stefan Jackiw's recordings here on his website.
• Hear Stefan Jackiw perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto on YouTube 

Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 1. -53 minutes

• Gustav Mahler’s compositions bridge 19th century Romantic Era tradition and the Modern compositions of the early 20th century.
• Mahler's Symphony No. 1 premiered in 1889 in Budapest, Hungary conducted by Mahler himself. In its first few performances the symphony was referred to as a tone poem or symphonic poem (a piece of orchestral music, typically in one movement, on a descriptive or rhapsodic theme). Although, it was not well received by the public, Mahler continued to make revisions to it.
• Listen to a recent Guide to the Music where Benjamin Zander discusses Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, the sounds of nature found in the piece, and the fact that Mahler was only 27 years old when he wrote “Titan!”
• Listen to Benjamin Zander’s in-depth discussion of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1

All dates, repertoire, venues, and artists subject to change.