It was back in February, 2016 at Verizon Hall, that The Philadelphia Orchestra gave a performance of Dvorak’s 7th Symphony that glowed with interpretive elegance in the hands of guest conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada. In this same concert, we were treated to Augustin Hadelich’s splendid reading of Johannes Brahms' D major Violin Concerto.
With Dvorak once again on the Orchestra's digital stage on November 12th, we thought it would be nice to revisit this exciting performance, and we're bringing it you on Sunday, November 8th at 1 PM on WRTI, and Monday, November 9th at 7 PM on WRTI HD-2.
Orozco-Estrada, music director of the Houston Symphony, chief conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony, and principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic, made his Philadelphia Orchestra debut with this concert, which opened with Samuel Barber’s first orchestral work — overture to The School for Scandal, inspired by Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s 1777 comedy of manners — written at age 21 when he was still a student at the Curtis Institute of Music.
German-American violinist Augustin Hadelich performed Johannes Brahms' Violin Concerto in D, written for the celebrated Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim, who helped Brahms mold the solo part, and who gave the premiere performance on New Year’s Day 1879 in Leipzig with the composer conducting. Hadelich had just won his first GRAMMY award, in the category of "Best Classical Instrumental Solo" for his recording of the Dutilleux violin concerto (“l’arbre des songes”) with the Seattle Symphony and Ludovic Morlot.
Following intermission, one of Antonin Dvorak’s towering achievements, his Symphony No. 7 — a combination of Brahmsian classicism and Slavic passion unsurpassed among all of the great Czech composer’s symphonies — will bring the concert to a grand close. Brahms was a generous and inspiring mentor to his younger Czech contemporary, who felt great respect and friendship for the eminent German composer.
During intermission, WRTI's Bliss Michelson speaks with Augustin Hadelich, and Susan Lewis sits down with Maestro Orozco-Estrada.
Read detailed program notes from the concert
PROGRAM:
Barber: The School For Scandal Overture
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D
Augustin Hadelich, Violin
INTERMISSION
Dvorak: Symphony No. 7
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, 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.
