Stamford Symphony Introduces New Spring Virtual Series

Information via Stamford Symphony

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Symphony has announced a new spring series including three virtual premieres taking place consecutively each month from March through May 2021.

Similar to the successful virtual premiere series they hosted this past winter, viewers will be given a chance to experience the Stamford Symphony in a new way, according to a news release. Music Director Michael Stern will host and conduct each online premiere and provide deeper context to the music, live online discussion, along with insights from the musicians.

Each free event will include special guests, Q&A's and a Zoom "VIP Green Room" for patrons holding a 2021 subscription. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"As longer evenings dare to let us think of a happier springtime, these new season programs bring renewal, comfort and youthful exuberance from the teenage Mendelssohn, to the artfully witty, Haydn," Stamford Symphony CEO Russell Jones said in a news release. "The programs are tailored for the Stamford Symphony to explore works too rarely played in settings that bring you ever closer to the music and our musicians."

There will be three virtual premieres in Stamford Symphony's spring series, including:

Youthful Gifts

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2021

Time: Online Premiere at 7:30 p.m. EST

Register Now: https://www.stamfordsymphony.org/youthful-gifts/

Michael Stern, conductor

Mendelssohn String Symphony No.9 in C Major, La Suisse (1823)

Coleridge-Taylor Two Novelletten for String Orchestra, Op.52

No.3

No.4

The young genius, Mendelssohn, precocious on the level of Mozart, composed 12 astonishing symphonies before the age of 14. His string symphony No. 9 shows a mastery of drama, lyricism and humor. The trio includes the little folk song, La Suisse, yodel included! Coleridge-Taylor, a trailblazer of his time for composers of color was extraordinarily gifted at a young age. The series of graceful movements may be played in any order, and never fail to delight.

This is event is sponsored by WSHU Public Radio.

Sublime Serenades

Date: Saturday, April 17, 2021

Time: Online Premiere at 7:30p.m.

Registration link coming soon!

Michael Stern, conductor

Dvořák Serenade for Winds in D minor, Op. 44

R. Strauss Serenade for Winds in E-flat major, Op. 7

This program includes one of Dvorak's most memorable melodies, evoking the old-world atmosphere of musical performances in the castles of the Rococo period, where the worlds of the aristocracy and the common folk merged. Richard Strauss had just turned seventeen when he composed his Serenade for 13 wind instruments. The work is much more than simply a deft imitation of Mozart and Mendelssohn. The contour of the melodies easily identifies Strauss as the future composer of works filled with moments of achingly beautiful lyricism.

This is event is sponsored by WSHU Public Radio.

Times Change

Date: Saturday, May 8, 2021

Time: Online Premiere at 7:30 p.m.

Registration link coming soon!

Michael Stern, conductor

Elena Urioste, violin

Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, The Turkish with Elena Urioste, violin

Haydn Symphony No. 64 in A major, Tempora Mutantur

This program welcomes acclaimed violinist Elena Urioste, our cameo performer for the Orchestra’s Amazing Grace first virtual orchestra performance. She will play the Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 often referred to as The Turkish. Never failing to be relevant for our time, Haydn's Symphony No. 64, was named by Haydn himself, Temporar Mutantur from the Latin epigram by Elizabethan poet John Owen: "Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis," (times change, and we must change with them.) The work was written towards the end of his Sturm und drang (storm and stress) period, and the slow movement is perhaps one of the composer's most charming and original.

This is event is sponsored by WSHU Public Radio and Accenture.

Through these challenging times, Stamford Symphony's virtual premieres are free with no download necessary. However, Stamford Symphony encourages audience members that are able to so, to donate what they can in order to support the Symphony.

For more information on the Stamford Symphony and its upcoming events, please visit stamfordsymphony.org.