The Philadelphia Orchestra performs one of the most remarkable symphonies ever written, Symphonie Fantastique of Hector Berlioz, on WRTI, Sunday August 16th at 1 PM on 90.1 and Monday, August 17th at 7 PM on WRTI HD-2.
Herbert Blomstedt conducts the performance, recorded live in concert at Verizon Hall on February 22, 2020.
The concert begins with a work Felix Mendelssohn composed while on his honeymoon, the Piano Concerto No. 2. How the piece must have sparkled when Mendelssohn himself was the soloist for its premiere in England in 1837! Bringing some sparkle of her own to this work is a French pianist who has made a series of critically acclaimed recordings for the Naïve label, Lise de la Salle.
Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor came in mid-career, at a time when he was juggling his many official duties and the big change in his personal life. It was intended for England, a country with which Mendelssohn enjoyed a long and deep relationship, specifically for the Birmingham Music Festival, where he was slated to conduct his oratorio St. Paul.
Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique was revolutionary. Berlioz actually began this symphony when Beethoven was still alive. He introduces harps into the orchestra for the first time, employs two sets of timpani, and expands and uses the orchestra in ways never before dreamed of. It’s almost impossible to believe that a composer at age 25 could have had such a grasp of the potential for sonic power and expression that a collection of musicians possesses! It’s one of the truly amazing creations in the history of art.
During intermission, Debra Lew Harder speaks backstage with Lise de la Salle, and Susan Lewis chats with guest conductor Herbert Blomstedt.
You won’t want to miss this one! That’s Sunday, April 5th, from 1 to 3pm, on WRTI 90.1, streaming worldwide at wrti.org, and Monday April 6th, at 7 PM on our HD-2 channel and on our classical stream.
PROGRAM:
Mendelssohn – Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor
Lise de la Salle, piano
INTERMISSION
Berlioz – Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Herbert Blomstedt, conductor
Gregg Whiteside is producer and host of The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert broadcasts, every Sunday at 1 PM on WRTI 90.1, streaming online at WRTI.org, and on our mobile app! Listen again on Mondays at 7 PM on WRTI HD-2.
