SSO Pre-Concert Talk: Sweet Sorrow

Saturday, 12 April 2008
6.30pm – 7.00pm
Sweet Sorrow
Open Stage, library@esplanade

Speaker: Seah Huan Yuh, violinist

One of the best loved American composers of the twentieth century, Samuel Barber sought to unite the extended tonal palette of late nineteenth century Romanticism with an unabashed lyricism and emotional candour.

Find out more from Seah Huan Yuh as he brings you on a discovery journey of the composer and his renowned piece.

Sweet Sorrow

Saturday, 12 April 2008
7:30pm, Esplanade Concert Hall

Featuring:

Claus Peter Flor conductor
Kam Ning violin

Repertoire/ Programme:

BARBER - Violin Concerto, Op. 14
MAHLER - Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor

Synopsis:

Barber’s Violin Concerto was commissioned by a rich businessman, Samuel Fels, for his young protege, the violinist Iso Bisrelli. However, the violinist rejected the work, declaring the first two movements too easy, and the finale unplayable. Nevertheless, it has become one of Barber’s most frequently performed works today.

Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 is arguably the best known Mahler symphony, thanks to a distinctive opening trumpet solo, and to its gorgeously dreamy Adagietto – one of the most popular of all symphonic excerpts – which was used in Luchino Visconti’s film Death in Venice, and also performed at the funeral of Robert Kennedy.

“You forget that time has passed. A great performance of the Fifth is a transforming experience. The fantastic finale almost forces you to hold your breath.” - conductor Herbert von Karajan on Mahler’s Fifth

For ticketing and other information, please visit the SSO website, here.