Home Page
Check us out on Facebook!
Program Archive
Premiere Night
May 12 2007, 7:30 at the Barshinger Center (2007 Schedule)
It's been a crazy week at work but finally you've made it to the weekend. How can one best refuel and heal before heading back to the job on Monday morning? Actually, if you're reading these program notes there's a very good chance that you've chosen to enjoy an Allegro concert on the campus of Franklin and Marshall College . Let's see who's on the program tonight. Great, Mozart, Haydn, and a very familiar name to many Lancaster concert-goers, Ralph Lehman. Let's look closer at the repertoire. “ Violin Concerto No. 3”, probably Mozart's most popular violin concerto and performed by Austin Hartman…..dazzling! Haydn's “Drum Roll Symphony”, gee, I wonder how that piece starts? These two pieces alone should fill you with a truly joyful spirit that defines this unique chamber orchestra; but wait, there's more and it's not Ginsu knives. As Dr. Norcross often states, you're going to be part of history by being present for the world premiere of Ralph Lehman's “Chamber Symphony”. Premiere performances aren't for sissies either. You're expected to feel the energy of a work being born right before your very eyes and ears. Wait until you get to the office water cooler on Monday morning and share your Allegro experience with envious co-workers. It is our hope that tonight's Allegro Chamber Orchestra concert experience fills your heart and soul with joy through incredible music and friendly musicians.
Chamber Symphony by Ralph Lehman (1942- )
I've had the honor and pleasure of knowing Ralph as a friend and musical colleague for 25 years or so. Please don't worry that his latest composition might include bizarre musical techniques incorporating Kitchen Aid mixers, scuba gear, and cell phone ring tones. (By the way, did you turn your cell phone off?) No, Mr. Lehman uses melodic themes and harmonic vocabulary accessible to all audiences.
His “Chamber Symphony” is a work in three movements written for the instrumentation of a typical late 18 th century orchestra: two of each wind instrument, timpani and strings. However, since this is a 21 st century composition, tuba, harp, glockenspiel and xylophone were added to the mix. The piece was begun in the autumn of 2005 and completed in the spring of 2006.
Mr. Lehman recently described his new composition via e-mail to Allegro President, T.J. Titcomb. “The first movement of Chamber Symphony is a mix of calm and agitated melodies, all interrelated within a framework of varied meter. The second movement is blatantly romantic (Gentlemen in the audience, how many times have you been accused of that same statement?) with lush melodies, rich tonal color and full sonority. The final movement is all energy, sometimes dramatic, sometimes playful. All in all, this movement is meant to be a celebration of sound. If one listens closely ( yes, that's your job tonight) you might even hear a return of statements from movement one.”
It's the world premiere of Ralph Lehman's Chamber Symphony and you are here to experience the moment. Isn't being part of history a real kick? Please stop reading at this point and locate the bassoon section on stage…….yes, that's Ralph playing his own piece.
Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major K.216 by W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)
At last Papa Mozart said “Play your fiddle along with Herr Schachtner, but you must play so softly we can't hear you, or else you will have to go away.” It was done and Wolfgang fiddled along with me. To my astonishment, I soon noticed that I was quite superfluous. I laid aside my violin quietly and glanced at Leopold (Mozart's father); tears of admiration and happiness were streaming down his face. –Andreas Schachtner, violinist with Leopold Mozart's string trio
Let me take a moment to explain this whole scenario. Wolfgang was seven years old, and was asking to play along with his father's string trio during a sight-reading session in Salzburg . Oh, did I forget to mention that Mozart was never taught to play the violin; he just seemed to know how. We are again reminded that this musical prodigy had gifts beyond comprehension.
Tonight's violin concerto was composed in the year 1775, most likely for the composer's usage at garden parties, weddings, birthdays or home concerts for friends and patrons. Concerto No. 3 in G is neither Austrian nor German nor French nor Italian in style, but rather a highly personal creation of all the styles he had absorbed during his European travels as a child prodigy. This is one of only five violin concerti, by Mozart, that can be categorized as a musical reflection of early Classical and Rococo Europe: aristocratic, graceful, humorous, and marvelously melodious.
- Allegro
• Adagio
• Rondeau
Local flavor trivia : I can't help mentioning that the nickname for this Concerto is “Strassburg”, named for the German/Austrian tune that opens the Rondeau movement. Enjoy Austin Hartman's performance and the genius of Mozart!
Symphony No. 103 in E Flat Major “The Drum Roll” by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Another new Overture (overture was the current English term for a symphony) by the fertile and enchanting HAYDN, was performed: which as usual, had continual strokes of genius, both in air and in harmony. The Introduction excited the deepest attention, the Allegro charmed, the Andante was encored, the Minuets, especially the Trio, were playful and sweet, and the last movement was equal, if not superior to the preceding.
–The Morning Chronicle ( London )
The “Drum Roll” Symphony was first performed on March 2, 1795, at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket of London. Haydn himself, presiding at the harpsichord or piano. Move over American Idol finalists, Papa Haydn was a true “rock star” of his time and unlike traditional 21 st century audiences, Londoners of the late 18 th century flocked to premiere performances, especially those of Maestro Haydn. It can be said that King George III and Queen Charlotte were rather miffed at Haydn's refusal to stay permanently in England . The Queen even offered the composer housing at Windsor Castle …perhaps a little drafty but certainly a nice neighborhood. But Haydn declined on the ground that he owed service to his lifetime patrons, the Esterhazy family in Austria-Hungary .
The early19 th century nickname for this Symphony comes from the opening timpani roll. During the first movement Haydn seems to be taking us on a roller coaster of emotions; at times threatening intensity and other moments of laughter and playfulness. The second movement Andante uses the old variation form with folk themes of Croatia . The third movement is a vigorous Minuet movement featuring graceful clarinet solos. The Finale showcases Haydn's developmental gifts as he sustains an entire movement on a light little phrase first introduced by the violins. Haydn was at the top of his game when composing his twelve London Symphonies; great music for an appreciative audience, much like the Allegro experience on this May evening.
Thank you for sharing in the sixth season of Allegro , The Chamber Orchestra of Lancaster. We hope to see you again in June, July, and August. Remember, we're always the 2 nd Saturday of each month. (2:00 or 7:30 p.m.) The mission of Allegro is a noble endeavor, bringing joy and enrichment to the lives of the Lancaster community. It is our hope that you can see the enjoyment on our player's faces, hear the passion in their artistic interpretation, and feel your spirit elevated through witnessing history, a “premiere” experience.
Doug Albert