Brief Motif: Petrushka

Our last Vanguard performance of the season will begin with Haydn’s Military Symphony. The symphony earned its nickname by its use of trumpet fanfares and percussion effects. One critic wrote that the second movement, notable for the use of “Turkish” instruments, sounded like a “hellish roar of war increase[ing] to a climax of horrid sublimity!”

Next, we will present Essay No. 2 by Samuel Barber, the composer famous for writing Adagio for Strings. The piece begins with a solo flute fanfare, becomes more agitated in the second theme, and finishes introducing themes with a caustic fugue based on the earlier fanfare. All three themes come together to conclude the essay.

The concert will finish with Petrushka, the story of a traditional Russian puppet that comes to life and develops emotions. The music is famous for the bitonal “Petrushka chord” that announces the appearance of the puppet. (The chord is made of C Major and F# Major triads played together.) Each dance in the ballet is integrated into the plot.

Carolyn Kuan, the Music Director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra known for her explosive passion and musical depth, conducts.

Apr. 28, 8:00pm
For more information, please visit csphilharmonic.org.