Season Finale: Sibelius & Tchaikovsky
SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Geneva Lewis, violinist
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36
The performance in approximately 110 minutes including a 20-minute intermission after the first piece
Overview
Join us for a transcendent evening as we unravel the mysteries and marvels within Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36, and Jean Sibelius’s mesmerizing Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47.
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 is a musical rollercoaster, overflowing with raw emotion and dynamic contrasts. Listen for the bold brass fanfare that heralds the symphony’s opening, a motif that will echo throughout the work, representing fate’s unstoppable grip on the composer’s life. As the symphony unfolds, immerse yourself in the lush strings, soaring melodies, and thunderous climaxes that characterize Tchaikovsky’s unmistakable compositional style. Pay close attention to the intricate interplay between sections of the orchestra, as themes are passed from one instrument to another with breathtaking precision. Let yourself be carried away by the symphony’s dramatic narrative, from moments of introspection to exultant triumph.
In Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, prepare to be transfixed by the sheer virtuosity and emotional depth of the soloist’s performance. Listen for the hauntingly beautiful main theme, introduced by the violin in the concerto’s opening bars, and marvel as it evolves and transforms throughout the work. Notice the delicate interplay between soloist and orchestra, as they engage in a musical dialogue that is at once tender and fierce. Pay attention to the violin’s breathtaking cadenzas, moments of improvisatory brilliance that showcase the soloist’s technical prowess and musicality. And don’t miss the concerto’s thrilling finale, a whirlwind of energy and excitement that will leave you breathless.
Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a newcomer to the world of classical music, this concert promises to be an unforgettable experience. Discover the magic of live orchestral performance and immerse yourself in the word of wonder, delight, and the timeless beauty of Sibelius & Tchaikovsky.
Program Details
SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Allegro moderato
Adagio di molto
Allegro, ma non tanto
Soloist: Geneva Lewis, violinist
Length: c. 31 minutes, including 3 separate movements (followed by a 20-minute intermission)
Composer: Jean Sibelius was born on December 8, 1865 in Tavestehus, Finland and dies on September 20, 1957 (age 91) in Järvenpää, Finland
Composed: Begun in 1902, premiered in New York in 1904, underwent revisions until 1905
What else happened in 1904-5?
- Anton Chekhov’s “Cherry Orchard” opens at Moscow Art Theater
- Italian tenor Enrico Caruso makes his first recording at Carnegie Hall
- Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Madama Butterfly” premieres at La Scala in Milan, Itlay
- Gustav Mahler’s 5th symphony premiere’s in Cologne, Germany
- King C. Gillette patents the Gillette razor blade
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36
Andante sostentuo – Moderato con anima
Andatino in moto di canzone
Scherzo (Pizzicato ostinato – Allegro)
Finale (Allegro con fuoco)
Length: c. 42 minutes, including 4 separate movements
Composer: Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840 in Votkinsk, Russia and died November 6, 1893 (age 53) in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Composed: 1877
What else happened in 1877?
- Chester Greenwood patents earmuffs
- Thomas Edison records “Mary had a little lamb” on the phonograph
- Johannes Brahms 2nd symphony premieres in Vienna
- Emile Berliner patents the microphone
Performers
New Zealand-born violinist Geneva Lewis has forged a reputation as a musician of consummate artistry whose performances speak from and to the heart and who has been lauded for the “remarkable mastery of her instrument” (CVNC) and hailed as “clearly one to watch” (Musical America).
Named a BBC New Generation Artist (2022-24), Geneva is also the recipient of a 2022 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award and a 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant. She was Grand Prize winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Competition, winner of the Kronberg Academy’s Prince of Hesse Prize (2021), Musical America’s New Artist of the Month (June 2021), a Performance Today Young Artist-in-Residence and a YCAT Concordia Artist.
August 2023 sees Geneva’s BBC Proms debut, with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Jaime Martin, while the 2023-24 season includes further performances with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and debuts with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine, Kremerata Baltica, where she performs Schnittke’s Concerto Grosso No.1 alongside Gidon Kremer, as well as Knoxville Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony and Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco.
Deeply passionate about chamber music, Geneva has had the pleasure of collaborating with prominent musicians such as Jonathan Biss, Glenn Dicterow, Miriam Fried, Kim Kashkashian, Gidon Kremer, Marcy Rosen, Sir András Schiff, and Mitsuko Uchida; she has performed in venues and festivals such as London’s Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Marlboro Music Festival, Kronberg Festival, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Ravinia and Chamberfest Cleveland.
An advocate of community engagement and music education, Geneva was selected for New England Conservatory’s Community Performances and Partnerships Program’s Ensemble Fellowship, through which her string quartet created interactive educational programs for audiences throughout Boston. The quartet was also chosen for the Virginia Arts Festival Residency, during which they performed and presented masterclasses in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Geneva received her Artist Diploma from New England Conservatory as the recipient of the Charlotte F. Rabb Presidential Scholarship, studying with Miriam Fried. Prior to that, she studied with Aimée Kreston at Colburn School of Performing Arts. Past summers have taken her to Marlboro Music Festival, Ravinia Steans Institute, Perlman Music Program’s Chamber Workshop, International Holland Music Sessions, Taos School of Music and Heifetz International Music Institute. She is currently studying at Kronberg Academy with Professor Mihaela Martin.
Geneva currently performs on a composite violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini, c. 1776 generously on loan from a Charitable Trust.
Just north of Dallas and nestled in the vibrant city of Richardson, Texas, the Richardson Symphony Orchestra (RSO) embodies the essence of what it means to be a regional symphony orchestra. Led by Maestro Clay Couturiaux, the RSO’s journey is a testament to unwavering dedication and musical excellence.
Since its founding in 1961, the RSO has remained steadfast in its mission to enrich lives through the transformative power of music. From enchanting renditions of classical staples to daring explorations of contemporary works, the orchestra’s repertoire mirrors the rich tapestry of human emotion and experience.
The symphony has captivated audiences with electrifying performances, seamlessly blending precision and passion. Under Maestro Couturiaux’s guidance, each note resonates with soul-stirring depth, leaving listeners enraptured.
Beyond the concert hall, the RSO is a beacon of community engagement, nurturing young talent and enriching lives through the transformative power of music. With every crescendo, the orchestra reaffirms its status as a cultural gem, enriching the tapestry of the city of Richardson and beyond with symphonic splendor.