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!MASTERWORKS2019-2020

Carolyn Kuan, music director

From the rhythm of Gershwin to the beauty of Vivaldi, from the romance of Prokofiev to the magnificence of Beethoven, the music of the greats will exhilarate and inspire this season. Featuring the artistry of extraordinary HSO musicians and guest artists, all under the direction of HSO Music Director Carolyn Kuan, the 2019-20 season is a

true ode to joy!

MW19/20

860-244-2999hartfordsymphony.org

Become an HSO Masterworks subscriber, and enjoy these special benefits!

» Your subscription price saves you as much as 25% compared to single ticket purchases.

» $10 off tickets for friends of subscribers (some restrictions apply).

» You’ll receive advance notice when a concert goes on sale and have the opportunity to purchase tickets before the general public.

» All subscribers are eligible for same-season exchanges for unused tickets (must notify box office in advance of original concert).

» As a subscriber, you’ll receive discounts at our partner restaurants in the Greater Hartford area.

» Exclusive behind-the-scenes tour and a unique experience with the HSO (three sessions to choose from).

» Invitation to our exclusive annual meeting in October 2019.

» Free bar drink for new subscribers.

RHAPSODY IN BLUE Season Opener!

October 11-13, 2019

BRAHMS AND HAYDNNovember 15-17, 2019

CHOPIN AND FRANCK December 6-8, 2019

THE FOUR SEASONSJanuary 17-19, 2020

ROMEO AND JULIET February 14-16, 2020

DVOŘÁK’S EIGHTHMarch 13-15, 2020

RACHMANINOFF AND TCHAIKOVSKY

April 17-19, 2020

ENIGMA VARIATIONSMay 8-10, 2020

BEETHOVEN’S NINTH June 5-7, 2020

2019-2020SEASON

AT-A-GLANCE

MW19/20 EXCLUSIVE

SUBSCRIBERBENEFITS

October 11-13, 2019

RHAPSODY IN BLUE Bernstein Candide OvertureGershwin Rhapsody in BlueGershwin “I Got Rhythm” VariationsCopland Symphony No. 3

FEATURINGCarolyn Kuan conductorKevin Cole piano

Bernstein’s Candide Overture is a rollicking introduction to the comic operetta that was inspired by Voltaire’s novella by the same name. Gershwin mixes a cocktail of jazz, ragtime, and classical for his timeless Rhapsody in Blue, and he was inspired to pen his witty “I Got Rhythm” Variations after playing his hit show tune at countless parties. Bernstein noted of Copland’s heroic Symphony No. 3, “the symphony has become an American monument, like the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial.”

November 15-17, 2019

BRAHMS AND HAYDNBrahms Variations on a Theme of Haydn, Op. 56aTheofanidis Drum Circles Haydn Symphony No. 103 in E-flat Major, “Drum Roll”

FEATURINGCarolyn Kuan conductorThe Percussion Collective Robert van Sice, artistic director Svet Stoyanov, Doug Perry, Victor Caccese, Ayano Kataoka, percussion

It is surprising to note that Brahms’ masterful Variations on a Theme of Haydn is not inspired by a Haydn composition at all; rather, the theme – “St. Anthony’s Chorale” – is thought to have been written by Haydn’s student, and misattributed. Haydn’s grand Symphony No. 103, nicknamed “The Drum Roll,” was one of the composer’s 12 renowned London Symphonies, written during a particularly joyful and prolific time of his life. Theofanidis’ Drum Circles is a brand-new concerto for percussion and orchestra, co-commissioned by the HSO.

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SEASON OPENER!

December 6-8, 2019

CHOPIN AND FRANCKDukas The Sorcerer’s ApprenticeChopin Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21Franck Symphony in D minor

FEATURINGLaura Jackson conductorDaniela Liebman piano

Made most famous by an ambitious mouse, Dukas’ dazzling The Sorcerer’s Apprentice became one of the most popular orchestral works in history when it appeared in the 1940 Disney film, Fantasia. Chopin’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 2 was written when the composer was young and in love, and is reflective of his native Poland. Franck’s warm and luminous Symphony in D minor fuses both French and German music traditions – a radical compositional choice in 1888 France.

January 17-19, 2020

THE FOUR SEASONSAssad Suite for Lower StringsVivaldi The Four Seasons, Op. 8, No. 1-4Ginastera Variaciones concertantes, Op. 23

FEATURINGCarolyn Kuan conductorRandall Goosby violin

We ring in the new year – and the new decade! – with Vivaldi’s evocative The Four Seasons. This beloved piece, which will feature dynamic young violinist Randall Goosby, brings to life babbling brooks, summer storms, hunting parties, and cozy winter fires. Clarice Assad gives us a contemporary twist on a Baroque composer with Suite for Lower Strings, based on themes by J.S. Bach. Ginastera’s Variaciones concertantes is a brilliantly orchestrated taste of Argentina.

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THE KOSKI MEMORIAL CONCERT

CONCERT SPONSOR

February 14-16, 2020

ROMEO AND JULIET Kendall The Spark CatchersTomasi Trumpet ConcertoKreisler Love SongProkofiev Selections from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64

FEATURINGAdam Boyles conductorScott McIntosh trumpet

The HSO brings to life one of the greatest love stories of all time! Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has inspired works of art in all mediums, and Prokofiev’s ballet captures all of the bliss, humor, drama, and tragedy of the play. Contemporary composer Hannah Kendall’s imaginative The Spark Catchers is inspired by the poem of the same name by Lemn Sissay. Tomasi’s playful Trumpet Concerto and Kreisler’s emotive Love Song will feature HSO’s principal trumpet, Scott McIntosh.

March 13-15, 2020

DVOŘÁK’S EIGHTH Lalo Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21Dvořák Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, B. 163

FEATURINGDamon Gupton conductorLeonid Sigal violin

Composed at his summer retreat in celebration of his admission to the Prague Academy in 1889, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 takes inspiration from Czech folk music, and has a cheer and optimism that was unusual for the composer and the time period. Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole, which was written for violinist Pablo de Sarasate, is sultry and colorful.

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THE ALEXANDER CAMPBELL MCNALLY AND TINA MAHAR MCNALLY MEMORIAL CONCERT

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April 17-19, 2020

RACHMANINOFF AND TCHAIKOVSKY Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64, TH 29

FEATURINGCarolyn Kuan conductorHenry Kramer piano

Tchaikovsky was obsessed with the concept of Fate, and his exhilarating and contrasting Symphony No. 5 explores the idea of “complete resignation before Fate.” His Fifth Symphony is one of the composer’s most adored, despite him initially calling it “repulsive.” Rachmaninoff’s electrifying Piano Concerto No. 3 is a brilliant palette of moods, and is one of the most demanding concertos in the repertoire.

May 8-10, 2020

ENIGMA VARIATIONS Clyne Within Her ArmsElgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85Elgar Enigma Variations, Op. 36

FEATURINGCarolyn Kuan conductorJoshua Roman cello

Elgar’s charming Enigma Variations presents a couple of mysteries – first, a guessing game as to who the 14 musical personality sketches he composed represent (most certainly his wife and friends). Plus, the question of what the “unheard” theme of the piece is – which is never stated, but Elgar insisted is very well-known. His contemplative Cello Concerto was his last significant work, and is a meditation on the aftermath of World War I. London-born Anna Clyne’s Within Her Arms is a somber, deeply-affecting meditation on loss, inspired by her mother.

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June 5-7, 2020

BEETHOVEN’S NINTH Glass Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and OrchestraBeethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “Choral”

FEATURINGCarolyn Kuan conductorResurgam Quartet saxophone quartet Harrison Kliewe, soprano saxophone Colette Hall, alto saxophone Sean Tanguay, tenor saxophone Michael Raposo, baritone saxophoneHartford Chorale Richard Coffey, music directorVocal soloists to be announced

We conclude the 2019-2020 season with a true “Ode to Joy” – Beethoven’s towering, magnificent Symphony No. 9. The completion of his final and greatest symphony coincided with his total hearing loss, so that by the premiere, a concert soloist had to turn him around at the podium so he could witness the audience’s thunderous applause and ovations. Philip Glass’ jazzy and soulful Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra will be performed by the engaging Hartford-based Resurgam Quartet.

Mortensen Hall

Belding Theater

Masterworks concerts are

performed in the Belding Theater at

The Bushnell

Friday & Saturday at 8 pm

Sunday at 3 pm

860-244-2999hartfordsymphony.org

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