Mozart & Cookies
A Chamber Orchestra Concert
Sunday, April 26, 2026
3:30 PM at Byzantium Event Center (Sts. Constantine and Helena Greek Orthodox Church)
Conducted by ASO Artistic Director José-Luis Novo
Joaquín Turina La oración del torero (The Bullfighter’s Prayer), Op. 34
Malcolm Arnold Sinfonietta No. 1, Op. 48
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201
MUSIC PROGRAM
Joaquín Turina: La oración del torero (The Bullfighter’s Prayer)
Composed in 1925, Turina’s La oración del torero blends Spanish color with impressionistic textures. Originally written for four lutes and later arranged for string quartet, the work reaches its full expressive power in Turina’s version for string orchestra. A lyrical theme evokes the bullfighter’s quiet prayer, seeking inner calm before entering the arena. Moments of tension briefly capture the drama of the bullring, but the piece ultimately closes as it began — quietly, stoically, and with the dignity of a brave fighter.
Malcolm Arnold: Sinfonietta
Arnold’s Sinfonietta (1954) is a lively, three-movement work for strings, oboes, and horns, evoking the charm and elegance of an 18th-century divertimento. Its approachable melodies and playful textures delight from start to finish. The exuberant finale, full of energetic themes and spirited horn passages, brings the piece to a jubilant close, showcasing Arnold’s signature blend of wit, vitality, and musical craftsmanship.
Mozart Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201
Completed in 1774, Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 stands as one of his most beloved early works, often paired in fame with his dramatic Symphony No. 25. Musicologist Stanley Sadie described it as “a landmark… personal in tone, indeed perhaps more individual in its combination of an intimate, chamber music style with a still fiery and impulsive manner.”
The symphony unfolds with elegance and energy:
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The opening movement, in sonata form, introduces a graceful theme marked by a distinctive octave drop and bold horn passages.
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A lyrical second movement, scored for muted strings with gentle winds, offers a moment of delicate beauty.
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The third movement minuet brims with dotted rhythms and lively staccato phrases, contrasted by a smoother, more graceful trio.
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The finale, set in a spirited 6/8, recalls the symphony’s opening theme with its octave drop and drives the work to a vibrant conclusion.
Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 showcases both intimacy and fire—an early glimpse of the genius that would define his later masterpieces.
TICKETING
All tickets are $25. Please call our Box Office to learn about $10 student tickets, or military, law enforcement and first responder discounts that may be applied to this performance: 410-263-0907.
THANK YOU!
This performance is made possible in part with the support of the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC.org) and Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (ACAAC.org).