Beethoven, Williams, Liszt, Borodin

Program Notes

Orion's fourth concert will serve up lighter fare to usher in the summer. The first half of the program features music written for movies or operas, including John Williams' hauntingly beautiful theme from Schindler's List (adapted for violin and piano), and the playful and klezmer-like theme (for clarinet and piano) from The Terminal. In addition, two renowned opera composers will be represented by fantasies based on their works: Beethoven's "Variations on a Theme from Mozart's Don Giovanni," adapted for clarinet and piano by Simeon Bellison; and Liszt's "Fantasie on Themes from Verdi's Rigoletto" for piano. In each case, the well-known tunes of the themes provides a basis for virtuosic play.

The second half of the program features a large chamber work by celebrated composer Alexander Borodin. "String Quartet No. 2" connects with the theme of the program in reverse, as it were; that is, other composers later arranged some of its themes for use in dramatic works. Written in 1881 during a calm satisfying summer in the countryside, Borodin's brilliantly original second String Quartet, in D Major, is assured in its craftsmanship and satisfying in its emotional content. The famous third-movement Nocturne contains the originals of tunes now well-known from their use later in Kismet and elsewhere. The other movements provide equally delightful themes and textures. For this work, Orion will be joined by guest violinist Baird Dodge of the CSO.