You won't want to miss the optimism and sunshine of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, drawing much of its balance and influence from the Classical era, this Sunday, July 20th at 1 pm. It's the Philadelphians in a performance from October in Verizon Hall, a re-broadcast from November, 2013.
Benjamin Britten, born 100 years ago, also drew inspiration from an earlier period, using themes from 17th-century composer Henry Purcell in his orchestral showpiece Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell. Featuring all the main sections of the orchestra, and presenting prominent solos from The Philadelphia Orchestra’s principal players, Britten’s work stands as one of the best “guides to the orchestra” ever written.
And, Richard Strauss’s Oboe Concerto had its genesis during a lengthy meeting in Germany between former Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Oboe John de Lancie and the composer. De Lancie, who was stationed in Germany at the end of World War II, suggested that Strauss compose a concerto for oboe and orchestra; and while de Lancie did not give the work’s premiere, he did perform the Concerto in The Philadelphia Orchestra’s first performance, in 1964. Principal Oboe Richard Woodhams, a student of de Lancie’s, now carries this connection forward, as he performs the concerto in next week’s broadcast.
During intermission, WRTI's Susan Lewis speak swith oboist Richard Woodhams, and Jim Cotter visits backstage with soprano Christiane Karg. Be listening! That’s this Sunday, July 20th from 1 until 3 pm.
Program notes, audio and video
PROGRAM:
Britten - Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell
Strauss - Oboe Concerto
Mahler - Symphony No. 4
Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor
Richard Woodhams - Oboe
Christiane Karg - Soprano