2017-18 Season

Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story show each of these composers at their melodic and dramatic best. The tale, predating Shakespeare, of “star-crossed lovers” caught in the throes of vengeful violence is unfortunately as modern now as ever. Gerrad Alex Taylor (Chesapeake Shakespeare Co.) and Jed Gaylin (HSO) will discuss these works in the context of Shakespeare and watch HSO’s performance from December 2014. This program will be presented on Zoom. A link will be shared with registrants in advance of the program.
Don’t miss our other programs in our series of Evenings with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra!
March 3rd – Exquisite Revolution: Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
April 7th – Bloodlust: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring
May 19th – Powerful Works of Our Time: Sanchez-Guitierrez’s Girando Danzando and Dusman’s What Remains
Please, register for each program individually.

Mendelssohn is erroneously known as a conservative composer. Yet, his orchestral works such as this concerto, or the “Italian” Symphony, Midsummer Night’s Dream, or The Hebrides burst with imagination in effect, form, and feel. Jed Gaylin (HSO) and Amy Beth Horman (violinist) will discuss the violin concerto and watch HSO’s performance with Ms. Horman from December 2014. This program will be presented on Zoom. A link will be shared with registrants in advance of the program.
Don’t miss our other programs in our series of Evenings with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra!
February 3rd – Star-Crossed: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
April 7th – Bloodlust: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring
May 19th – Powerful Works of Our Time: Sanchez-Guitierrez’s Girando Danzando and Dusman’s What Remains
Please, register for each program individually.

In contrast to the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto of our last presentation, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring was blatantly––perhaps, even calculatedly––revolutionary. It depicts human sacrifice, if self-inflicted. From its set, costumes, choreography, and maybe, most of all, its music, this work screams for attention, and has never lacked it since its 1913 premiere in Paris. We will watch and discuss a video of the full ballet, hosted by Jed Gaylin and Lisa Green-Cudek (dancer, choreographer, dance historian). This program will be presented on Zoom. A link will be shared with registrants in advance of the program.
Don’t miss our other programs in our series of Evenings with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra!
February 3rd – Star-Crossed: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
March 3rd – Exquisite Revolution: Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
May 19th – Powerful Works of Our Time: Sanchez-Guitierrez’s Girando Danzando and Dusman’s What Remains
Please, register for each program individually..

These dramatic 21st century works both explore the orchestral tonal palette with great imagination and strength. Edginess in each is offset by great intimacy. Yet they have a completely contrasting hues and melodic invention. Composers Linda Dusman and Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez join us for a discussion of these pieces and their creative approach. We will watch the HSO October 2019 performance of What Remains and the March 2017 performance of Girando Danzando. This program will be presented on Zoom. A link will be shared with registrants in advance of the program.
Don’t miss our other programs in our series of Evenings with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra!
February 3rd – Star-Crossed: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
March 3rd – Exquisite Revolution: Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
April 7th – Bloodlust: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring
Please, register for each program individually.