Overture Magazine - 2018-19 Season BSO_Overture_Sept_Oct | Page 35

a notable success at its first performance in Copenhagen in April 1869 .
This is a work that glories in its multitude of appealing themes — very personally Grieg ’ s own — and its highly successful blending of tender lyricism with virtuoso display . Its first movement dispenses with any orchestral exposition : just a dramatic timpani roll galvanizes the soloist into action . His vertiginous three-octave plunge begins with a three-note melodic pattern — a descending half-step , following by a descending third — that is common in Norwegian folk music and became known as the “ Grieg motive .” Woodwinds then introduce the folk-like principal theme , animated by crisp rhythms . In a slightly slower tempo , cellos sing a romantically melancholic second theme . After a brief development , the opening music is reprised , coming to a sudden halt for a big solo cadenza composed by Grieg .
The slow movement travels far from the home key of A minor into the very distant D-flat major . Muted strings open with a weary theme , saturated in sorrow . The piano ’ s wistful response is woven of exquisite fast figurations . In a new phase , the piano passionately declares the pain implied in this melody before the movement dies out in elegiac beauty .
A short bridge passage intervenes to return the key of D-flat to A minor before the piano launches the finale ’ s stomping main theme in the style of the Norwegian halling folk dance . Providing an interlude of repose , the solo flute sings a hauntingly lovely melody in a slower tempo ; the piano sensitively complements it with downward slip-sliding chords . Grieg builds excitement to a brief solo cadenza of double-handed octaves . Then the soloist transforms the 2 / 4 halling into a sparkling 3 / 4 waltz . But Grieg has an even better idea for his finish : he brings back the haunting second theme , now in a splendid apotheosis in A major . As annotator Michael Steinberg pointed out , Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff would later imitate this crowd-pleasing device , but Grieg did it first .
Instrumentation : Two flutes , two oboes , two clarinets , two bassoons , four horns , two trumpets , three trombones , timpani and strings .
FAMILY CONCERT : A SWINGIN ’ NUTCRACKER !
SAT , DEC 8 11 AM MEYERHOFF
Show-stopping hip-hop dancers join the BSO for this fun-filled holiday concert . Riffing off of Duke Ellington ' s reimagining of Tchaikovsky ' s masterpiece , jazz composer Paul Murtha has created a Swingin ' Nutcracker that the whole family will love !
HANDEL MESSIAH
SAT , DEC 8 8 PM MEYERHOFF SUN , DEC 9 3 PM MEYERHOFF
No holiday season is complete without a performance of this great masterwork , including the iconic " Hallelujah " Chorus , conducted by Edward Polochick with the Concert Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Choral .
CIRQUE NUTCRACKER
THU , DEC 13 8 PM STRATHMORE FRI , DEC 14 8 PM MEYERHOFF SAT , DEC 15 3 PM MEYERHOFF SUN , DEC 16 3 PM MEYERHOFF
The awe-inspiring talents of Troupe Vertigo come to the concert hall as acrobats , contortionists , jugglers , strongmen and high-flying aerialists join the BSO for this spectacular holiday-themed show .
GOSPEL CHRISTMAS WITH CECE WINANS
FRI , DEC 21 8 PM MEYERHOFF
Renowned gospel singer and twelve-time Grammy Award-winner CeCe Winans joins the BSO and the Morgan State University Choir in a rousing Gospel Christmas program of holiday favorites .
HOLIDAY POPS
SAT , DEC 22 3 PM MEYERHOFF SAT , DEC 22 8 PM MEYERHOFF
Broadway musical director Andy Einhorn leads the BSO and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society in an exciting new holiday pops program , highlighted by festive favorites from Broadway to American classics , the ever-popular tap-dancing Santas , an audience sing-along and a few musical surprises . Join us for this celebration of the holiday season !
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SEP – OCT 2018 / OVERTURE 33