Program Notes

Modest Mussorgsky (1839–1881), orchestrated by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844–1908)

Scherzo in B-flat Major

Composed when Mussorgsky was just 18 years old, this Scherzo is one of his earliest surviving orchestral works. The piece reflects the youthful exuberance and charm of a composer still developing his voice, with lively rhythms and lyrical ideas already pointing to the dramatic flair of his later music. Rimsky-Korsakov’s orchestration brings added color and polish to Mussorgsky’s original piano sketch, allowing the music to shine in full symphonic form.

Leoš Janáček (1854–1928)

Adagio for Orchestra

Janáček’s Adagio is an early orchestral work that predates the speech-inflected style of his mature compositions. Richly expressive and rooted in late-Romantic harmony, the piece reveals his deep emotional instincts and sense of musical drama. It offers a rare glimpse into the composer’s formative years and hints at the individual voice that would later emerge.

Robert Schumann (1810–1856)

Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 – Movement I

Soloist: Abigail Norsworthy

Written in a burst of inspiration over just two weeks in 1850, Schumann’s only cello concerto is introspective and lyrical rather than showy. The first movement unfolds without a formal orchestral introduction and features a seamless dialogue between soloist and ensemble. The writing highlights the cello’s singing quality, and the music’s gentle intensity reflects Schumann’s personal, poetic style.

Charles Ives (1874–1954)

The Unanswered Question

A quietly radical work composed in 1908 and revised in the 1930s, Ives’s The Unanswered Question layers three contrasting musical worlds. Strings sustain an ethereal, timeless backdrop while a solo trumpet poses a recurring “question.” Flutes respond with increasingly agitated attempts to answer. Spatially separated in performance, the ensemble represents Ives’s philosophical view of music as a means of existential inquiry rather than resolution.

Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970),
arr. Daniel Schnyder (b. 1961)

Purple Haze (for Strings)

In this inventive string arrangement, Daniel Schnyder translates Jimi Hendrix’s iconic 1967 track into a new sonic environment. The familiar riffs and harmonic progressions are preserved but transformed, filtered through a classical idiom that allows Hendrix’s energy and harmonic daring to take on new dimensions. A bold fusion of genres and a nod to the ongoing evolution of American music.

Florence Price (1887–1953)

Adoration (for Strings)

Originally written for organ, Adoration is one of Price’s most performed and cherished short works. Graceful and contemplative, it unfolds with quiet dignity and warmth. The string version retains the meditative atmosphere of the original and showcases Price’s gift for lyrical writing. A gentle testament to her enduring voice as a composer of faith and feeling.

Arnold Mendelssohn (1855–1933)

Suite, Op. 62 for Winds (after piano works by W.A. Mozart)

A respected composer and teacher, Arnold Mendelssohn (a cousin of Felix) created this elegant suite by reimagining Mozart’s piano music for wind ensemble. The result is a light, inventive homage that brings Mozart’s melodies to life in fresh colors and textures, blending Classical clarity with the lush sound of early 20th-century instrumentation.

Franz Schubert (1797–1828)

Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759 “Unfinished”

Though only two movements of this symphony were completed, Schubert’s Unfinished remains one of his most emotionally resonant and enduring works. The first movement’s brooding intensity contrasts with the gentle lyricism of the second. Together, they form a cohesive whole — rich in drama, melodic beauty, and haunting ambiguity.

Encores

Qué Rico Mambo – A classic Cuban mambo made famous by Pérez Prado, full of infectious rhythm and flair.

Ritmos Ciganos – A vibrant showcase of Romani-inspired melodies and driving dance rhythms.