Masterworks III
Raging Fire: Tchaikovsky & Sibelius with violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen
Feb 2 – 7:30 pm, MDH
Feb 3 – 7:30 pm, MDH
Feb 4 – 3:00 pm, Strathmore
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DIGITAL PROGRAM
The pre-concert lecture starts at 6:30pm in the auditorium before the concert.
Masterworks III Program:
Narong Prangcharoen Raging Fire
Sibelius Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor, op. 47, Elissa Lee Koljonen, violin
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, op. 74 “Pathétique”
In Masterworks III the Annapolis Symphony reconnects with the music of Thai composer Narong Prangcharoen. After winning the Annapolis Symphony’s Annapolis Charter 300 Young Composers Competition in 2008, Prangcharoen has made a name for himself on the international stage and in his homeland of Thailand.
Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, originally composed in 1904 and revised in 1905, is the only concerto by the great and prolific composer. Born in Finland in 1865, Sibelius is widely regarded as his country’s greatest composer and his music is often credited with having helped Finland develop a national identity during its struggle for independence from Russia. Soloist Elissa Lee Koljonen, with some Finnish heritage of her own, will join the ASO as guest violinist.
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, also known as the Pathétique Symphony, is Tchaikovsky’s final completed symphony, written between February and the end of August 1893. Tchaikovsky described the composition in letters as “the best thing I ever composed or shall compose.” Noted by ASO musicians as one of their favorite pieces to play, the excitement, drama, and hyper-romantic melodies make “Pathétique” a real treat for audiences.
Instrumentation
Narong Prangcharoen, Raging Fire
2 flutes, 1 piccolo, 3 oboes, 3 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 1 contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba, timpani, 3 percussionists, piano, and strings
Jean Sibelius, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor
solo violin, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani, and strings
As played by Oslo Filharmoniske Orkester, conducted by Vasily Petrenko with Joshua Bell, violin
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6 “Pathetique”
3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, tam-tam, and strings
As played by Trondheim Symphony Orchestra with conductor Han-Na Chang
Music Notes
Narong Prangcharoen, Thailand, (July 23, 1973 – )
Narong Prangcharoen’s Raging Fire tells of humans’ multifaceted relationship with fire, an ancient symbol of power and light. Raging Fire starts with the full orchestra as “a rise of fire”, and finishes with a greatness that depicts the entire world burning. “Somehow, mankind will survive this great fire and find a way to inner peace.”
Prangcharoen, born in Thailand in 1973, is the Dean of the College of Music at Mahidol University in Thailand and Composer-in-Residence for Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and the Pacific Symphony. He is the recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, Barlow Prize, and the Alexander Zemlinsky Prize for Composition. His compositions are known for captivating melodies, effervescent rhythms, brilliant orchestrations, ethereal qualities, and cross-cultural backgrounds.
Jean Sibelius, Finland, (December 8, 1865 – September 20, 1957)
Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, composed in 1904 and revised in 1905, is the only concerto by the great and prolific composer. Symphonic in scope and including an extended cadenza for the soloist, the work is noted for its rhapsodic nature and technical fireworks, all of which are dear to violinists.
Elissa Lee Koljonen, violin
Recognized as one of the most celebrated violinists of her generation, Elissa Lee Koljonen has thrilled audiences and critics in cities around the world. Ms. Koljonen initially received international acclaim when she became the first recipient of the prestigious Henryk Szeryng Foundation Award and silver medalist of the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition.
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Russia (May 7, 1840 – Nov. 6, 1893)
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, also known as the Pathétique Symphony, is Tchaikovsky’s final completed symphony, written between February and the end of August, 1893. Tchaikovsky described the composition many times in letters as “the best thing I ever composed or shall compose.”
The Pathétique exhibits darkness at almost every turn, a reflection of Tchaikovsky’s possible mood at the time. In his own notes, he wrote that the first movement must be “short and full of impulse, passion, confidence, and thirst for activity”. The second part, he said, was about love, “the third disappointments, and the fourth, also short, death”.
Musicologists, psychologists, and musical pundits posit that Tchaikovsky’s deep melancholia, depression and multiple suicide attempts during his adult life resulted from guilt about his homosexuality. Though temporarily abated during a fourteen – year relationship via correspondence with his patron, the wealthy widow Nadezhda von Meck, his depression resumed in full force after her abandonment of the situation. It was during this time that he wrote his Symphony No. 6. The composer entitled the work “The Passionate Symphony”, employing a Russian word, Патетическая (Pateticheskaya), meaning “passionate” or “emotional”, which was then translated into French as pathétique, meaning “solemn” or “emotive”. Arguments about Tchaikovsky’s mental health during the composition of Pathetique range from the happiest he had been in some time to depressed and even suicidal. He premiered the piece in late October, 1893, dying nine days later of cholera. Even today, historians wonder if his death wasn’t more likely a case of suicide by intentional drinking of unboiled water.
With Masterworks III “Raging Fire”, we enjoy music created and generated by the heat of fire and passion: passion for music, for playing, and for life. As we consider the emotional genesis of musical composition, we can also feel the fire that sustains both writer and player, allowing their fire to consume us, at least just for the moments we are together at the symphony.
Subscriptions for the 2023-2024 season are available for sale now. Single Tickets will be available for sale starting Tuesday, August 1, 2023.