Overture Magazine 2019-20 BSO_Overture_Jan Feb | Page 21

VIOLIN CONCERTO IN E MINOR
Felix Mendelssohn
Born in Hamburg, Germany, February 3,
1809; died in Leipzig, Germany,
November 4, 1847
During the years he served as director
of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra,
Felix Mendelssohn was blessed with an
outstanding concertmaster Ferdinand
David, one of the 19 th century’s finest
and most versatile violinists. As early
as 1835, the composer promised David
a concerto to show off his remarkable
abilities. But the promised concerto did
not appear for nearly a decade, despite
the violinist’s frequent reminders,
preserved in some charmingly
wheedling letters.
This delay was uncharacteristic
of Mendelssohn, usually a man who
promptly fulfilled his obligations,
musical or otherwise. But the early
1840s were particularly trying
times for him. Already in demand
all over Europe as both a composer
and a performer, Mendelssohn in
1841 was summoned to Berlin (his
family’s home) by King Friedrich
Wilhelm IV of Prussia to be his court
musician and establish a grandiose
new conservatory. For three years,
the composer dutifully served the
king’s changing whims while longing
to return to Leipzig. The enchanting
incidental music to A Midsummer
Night’s Dream was about the only
good thing to come out of this
frustrating period. As soon as he could
gracefully extricate himself from
Berlin, Mendelssohn turned to the
long-delayed concerto and completed
it in September 1844. It was
premiered by David with the Leipzig
Gewandhaus on March 13, 1845.
Generations of violinists and
audiences can attest that the concerto
—one of the most perfect ever written
for this instrument—was worth the
wait. Mendelssohn constantly sought
David’s advice and scrupulously
tailored his concerto to the violinist’s
skills and musical personality.
THU, MAY 7, 8 PM MEYERHOFF
FRI, MAY 8, 8 PM STRATHMORE
SUN, MAY 10, 3 PM MEYERHOFF
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
After the destruction of the Death
Star, the Rebel Alliance is under
attack. Jedi Master Yoda teaches
Luke Skywalker the ways of the force
in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes
Back as the BSO performs John
Williams’ unforgettable score live.
FRI, MAY 22, 8 PM MEYERHOFF
SAT, MAY 23, 3 PM MEYERHOFF
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
The fate of the galaxy hangs in the
balance as the Rebel Alliance
continues its fight against the
Empire in Star Wars: Return of the
Jedi. The iconic full-length film
plays on the big screen as the BSO
performs John Williams’ legendary
score live.
TICKETS FROM $40
BSOMUSIC.ORG
2019-20 SEASON
410.783.8000 | 1.877.BSO.1444
PRESENTATION LICENSED BY DISNEY
CONCERTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH 20TH
CENTURY FOX, LUCASFILM LTD., AND
WARNER /CHAPPELL MUSIC. © 2019 & TM
LUCASFILM LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
19
BSOMUSIC.ORG | 410.783.8000 | 1.877.BSO.1444

JA N – F E B 2020 / OV E R T U R E