Toledo Symphony

Description:

Two pillars of the Germanic classical repertoire surround a pair of piano concerti written by one of the great composer-pianists.

One of the most gifted prodigies in compositional history, Dmitri Shostakovich wrote his astonishing first symphony when he was just twenty.  Seven years later, he was already established as a pianist and composer, and premiered his first piano concerto at the age of twenty-seven with the Leningrad Philharmonic.  His second concerto was written over twenty years later, as a birthday gift to his son, Maxim.  Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear, one of the TSO’s favorite guests, lends his elegance and imagination to two of Shostakovich’s most light-hearted utterances.

Franz Joseph Haydn wrote one hundred and four symphonies – his last is generally acknowledged as his greatest.  The court composer at the palace of Esterhazy for over thirty years, Haydn was invited to London by the eminent impresario Johann Peter Salomon for two extended visits, for which Haydn composed twelve symphonies.  Somewhat arbitrarily, only the last one is known as the “London.”  It is as perfectly proportioned as any Classical symphony, from the solemn fanfare heralding a momentous event to the final rondo, overflowing with high spirits, based on a Croatian folk dance tune.

Points of interest:

• Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto is unusually orchestrated.  In addition to the string complement, there is a significant trumpet obbligato part, which often serves as a sarcastic commentary on the action in the piano.  Our Principal Trumpet player, Lauraine Carpenter, will perform the trumpet part.
• Maxim Shostakovich, the dedicatee of his father’s Second Piano Concerto, is now a world-renowned conductor.  He has appeared multiple times with the Toledo Symphony, most recently in 1998.   
• The first movement of the Second Concerto was used in the movie Fantasia 2000, underpinning the Steadfast Tin Soldier sketch.

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Program:

Beethoven ~ Overture to Egmont  9'

Shostakovich ~ Piano Concerto No.1 in C Minor  23'

     Allegretto - vivace - Moderato

     Lento

     Moderato

     Allegro con brio

     Lauraine Carpenter, trumpet

WGTE - FM 91 broadcasts the Toledo Symphony on FM 91 In Concert. Tonight's concert will be broadcast Thursday, February 21, 2008, at 8:00 p.m., through the generosity of the Edward H. Schmdit Musical Arts Fund.

INTERMISSION

Shostakovich ~ Piano Concerto No.2 in F Major  21'

     Allegro

     Andante

     Allegro

Haydn ~ Symphony No.104 in D Major "London"  29'

     Adagio - Allegro

     Andante

     Menuet: Allegro - Trio

     Finale: Spiritoso

WGTE - FM 91 broadcasts the Toledo Symphony on FM 91 In Concert. Tonight's concert will be broadcast Thursday, February 21, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. through the generosity of the Edward H. Schmidt Musical Arts Fund.