SAMF2021 at CATHEDRAL BASILICA38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Thursday, June 24, 2021, 7:30 pm

PROGRAMMOZART | Serenade Bb Major, No. 10 for winds, Gran Partita KV 361

Largo-Molto Allergo Menuetto

AdagioMenuettoRomance

Tema con VariazioniFinale

PROGRAM NOTES

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)Franz Haydn may have offered the best words about “the greatest composer known to me either in person or by name; he has taste, and, furthermore, the most profound knowledge of composition.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, child prodigy, celebrated performer, and “the greatest composer,” was born into a musical fam-ily. Mozart’s father, Leopold, whose business acumen was far superior to that of his son, was largely responsible for creating the famous Mozart. A tour to France and England helped secure performances, commissions, and court appointments. Mozart’s symphonic and operatic achievements are well-documented, whereas his works for winds give important context to our own wind band medium. Tonight’s Serenade No. 10 in Bb Major is both well-known and a mystery.

We will likely never know the exact date of composition for this serenade. Scholars have examined a wide variety of sources: Mozart’s manuscripts, the type of paper he used, his thematic catalog, works composed at the same time, correspondence between other musicians—nothing is conclusive. We know Mozart was in his late twenties and that the piece, or part of it, may have been premiered in Vienna on March 23, 1784 given this newspaper clipping:

Today Herr Stadler senior, at present in the service of his Majesty the Emperor, will give a musical academy for his benefit in the Imperial Royal National Court Theatre, at which, among other well- chosen pieces, a large wind work of a very special kind composed by Herr Mozart will be performed.

Serenades were intended as “consumable” – light-hearted background music quickly written with the purpose of entertainment during social events. Mozart’s serenades were obviously written with more in mind. He uses musical features more suggestive of a symphony or opera. Whether Serenade in Bb premiered at the National Court Theatre or not, Mozart felt this work should not simply accompany dinner; it is deserving in its own right. Although Mozart never named the work Gran Partita, that title is appropriate for this monumental composition, both in the category of serenades, and as a work strictly for winds.

Program Notes (cont.)

Seven movements use traditional forms, combined with some unusual elements. It is okay to clap when you feel like it(!). There are too many exciting moments to wait until the very end.

Largo-Molto Allergo A slow introduction is followed by sonata form. Main themes are introduced, developed, and then return before a concluding coda.

Menuetto The first minuet (dance in three-quarter time) has not one, but two contrasting trio sections.

AdagioThis lovely tune is a conversation between three soloist friends: oboe, clarinet, and bassetthorn. MenuettoThe second minuet is shorter but still with two contrasting trios. Mozart may have engaged in a playful musical pun. The second trio, like the Adagio before, uses a trio of instruments. Oboe, bassetthorn, and bassoon move in constant eighth notes, like a carousel waltz before the final stately return of the minuet. RomanceThere is a fantasy-like quality to this movement. A brief adagio is interrupted by a faster and darker contrasting middle, before reflectively concluding where it began.

Tema con Variazioni The primary theme is supremely “singable.” Appearing in the clarinet (a Mozart signature), it feels very much like something from one of his symphonies. Six variations follow. The sixth moves away from the woodwind melismas of previous variations, offering a lively concluding waltz.

FinaleEnjoy this happy rondo. Each time the main theme returns, it seems fuller, bolstered by developed of the contrasting section before. A coda brings a rousing end to the work.

Program notes by David Stanley

Friday, June 25, 2021, 7:30 pmSponsored by The Benjamin and Jean Troemel Arts Foundation

PROGRAM

PROKOFIEV | Quintet in G Minor Overture Moderato, molto ritmato

“Matelote” Allegro“The Ballerina” Tema con variazioni, Andante energico

“Dance of the Tumblers” Allegro sostenuto, ma con brio, Adagio pesante, Allegro precipitato, ma non troppo presto

“Mourning the Ballerina” Andantino

MENDELSSOHN | String Octet in E-flat majorAllegro moderato ma con fuoco

AndanteScherzo, Allegro leggierisimo

Presto

PROGRAM NOTES

Serge Prokofiev (1891-1953)Russian composer, pianist and conductor Serge Prokofiev is considered one of the ma-jor composers of the 20th century. He composed masterpieces in opera, ballet, sym-phonies, concertos. Peter and the Wolf, Lieutenant Kije, and the ballet Romeo and Juliet are especially well-known.

Seven movements use traditional forms, combined with some unusual elements. It is okay to clap when you feel like it(!). There are too many exciting moments to wait until the very end.

In 1918 Prokofiev moved to the United States. In 1920 he moved to Paris and then to Germany with his mother. He successfully composed and toured Europe and the United States, eventually receiving commissions from the Soviet Union. In 1936 he moved back to Russia where he lived until his death. He continued composing, but some-times following the Soviet restriction.

In early 1924 Serge Prokofiev accepted “a commission to compose a ballet for a roving dance troupe which wished to present a program of several short pieces accompanied by five instruments. I proposed a quintet consisting of oboe, clarinet, violin, viola, and double bass.”

The ballet, Trapeze, evoked the circus. The rhythmic, sometimes high-spirited music proved to be difficult for the dancers, so Prokofiev made the piece into the Quintet. The interesting use of five instruments produces a rich pro-fusion of colors for the listener, lively, marching, harsh, rough, lyrical, playful.

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)In 1825, at the age of 16, Felix Mendelssohn wrote one of his first major successful works, his String Octet. He wrote it for four violins, two violas, and two cellos. This instrumentation was new form in chamber music. In his short life, he died at 38, the creative Mendelssohn composed five symphonies, orchestral, stage and chamber works, and hundreds of vocal works ranging from solo song to large scale choral works.

Mendelssohn instructions in the score, “This Octet must be played by all the instru-ments in symphonic orchestral style. Pianos and fortes must be strictly observed and more strongly emphasized than is usual in pieces of this character.”

The piece is sometimes played by full string sections using more players for each part as well as an added double bass part which usually (but not always) doubles the second cello part an octave lower.

Saturday, June 26, 2021, 7:30 pmPROGRAM

FANNY MENDELSSOHN | Overture in C Major

JOAQUIN RODRIGO | Fantasia para un Gentil Hombre-Guitar and Chamber Orchestra

BEETHOVEN | Symphony No. 3 Op. 55

PROGRAM NOTES

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805-1847)During Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s lifetime, the pianist and composer was discour-aged from publishing her work. The 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall opened the door to the Mendelssohn archive where over 400 compositions were found. Many have since been published and played. Hensel is now considered an important 19th century composer.

Fanny Mendelssohn’s Overture in C Major was probably written around 1830. It would have been performed at one of the family’s home concerts. After a later performance she wrote to her brother. “Had I not been so shy, and embarrassed with every stroke, I would’ve been able to conduct reasonably well. It was great fun to hear the piece for the

first time in two years and find everything the way I remembered. People seemed to like it—they were very kind, praised me, criticized a few impractical passages, and will return next Saturday. Thus, I took part in an unexpected pleasure.”

Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999)Spanish composer, Joaquin Rodrigo composed for guitar as well as other instruments. Although blind since the age of three his musical education was extensive. He was a student of composer Paul Dukas. Rodrigo was able to write his works in Braille and have it transcribed. In 1958 Andres Segovia premiered Rodrigio’s Fantasia for a Gentleman, (Fantasia para un Gentilhombre) which Rodrigo wrote for him. The Fantasia has four movements, all with a Spanish flavor. Listen for dances, a fanfare, a fugue, and even a bird call.

Stephen Robinson, Guitar is both a virtuoso and a teacher.Andrés Segovia, called him “a magnificent guitarist, one of the most brilliant guitar-ists of our times.” In 1984, High Fidelity/Musical America Magazine named him “Young Artist of the Year.” And in 1987 after doing graduate work at the Yale School of Music, Florida State University awarded Robinson its’ first Doctor of Music in Guitar Perfor-mance. Recently Soundboard Magazine said, “Anyone who has not heard Robinson play is missing one of America’s great guitarists, a performer of brilliance, elegance, and lyricism.”

Stephen Robinson performs recitals and conducts master-classes at leading musical institutions and festivals worldwide, including Eastman School of Music, Mannes College of Music, Columbia Uni-versity, Yale University, Oberlin Conservatory, France’s Moulin d’Andé, Peabody Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, Germany’s Iserlohn Gitarren-Symposium, California State University/Fresno, St. Louis Conservatory of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, Boston Conservatory of Music, and Royal Conservatory of Music (To-ronto) and The University of Toronto. Robinson performs throughout Florida as part of Florida’s premier Arts on Tour Program. His performances and compact discs are heard throughout the world.

Stephen Robinson lives in DeLand, Florida with his wife, Patrece. They have four sons.

Ludwig Van Beethoven (1901-1999)In writing Symphony No.3 Op.55, Beethoven had been thinking of Buonaparte, but Buonaparte while he was First Consul. At that time Beethoven had the highest esteem for him and compared him to the greatest consuls of ancient Rome. Not only I, but many of Beethoven’s closer friends, saw this symphony on his table, beautifully copied in manuscript, with the word “Buonaparte” inscribed at the very top of the title-page and “Luigi van Beethoven” at the very bottom.

I was the first to tell him the news that Buonaparte had declared himself Emperor, whereupon he broke into a rage and exclaimed, “So he is no more than a common mortal! Now, too, he will tread under foot all the rights of man, indulge only his ambition; now he will think himself superior to all men, become a tyrant!” Beethoven went to the table, seized the top of the title-page, tore it in half and threw it on the floor. The page had to be re-copied and it was only now that the symphony received the title “Sinfonia eroica.”

August 20, 2021, 7:30pmat Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine | Sponsored by Dr. Daniel and

Mrs. Theresa Rodriguez-Yip

Paganini | Guitar Quartet No. 15Alexander Borodin | String Quartet No. 2

Ravel | Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String QuartetEncore: Tchaikovsky | Adagio Molto for String Quartet and Harp

August 21, 2021, 7:30pmat Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine | Sponsored by Florida Blue

Bloch | Concerto Grosso for String Orchestra and PianoDebussy | Danses Profanes L 103 No. 1 and 2 for Harp and Strings

Caroline Shaw | Entr’acte for String OrchestraFranz Liszt | Malédiction for Piano and String Orchestra (1833)

SAMF – SPECIAL EVENTIn Collaboration With Beaches Fine Arts

November 6, 2021, 7:30pmat Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

Maria Dolores Gaitán, distinguished Spanish pianist and cultural ambassador in cooperation with Instituto Nauta joined by Jorge Peña, Viola. Program TBA.

Violin I Nigel Armstrong

Gabriela PeñaPiotr Szewczyk

Ingang HanChristopher Chappell

Violin II Clinton Dewing

Scott JacksonAnn Hertler

Megan McClendon Rios

FluteSarah Jane Young

Jeana Melilli

Oboe Xiaodi Liu

Daniel Rios

Clarinet Patrick Graham

Sunshine Simmons

Bassoon Conrad Cornelison

Anthony Anurca

Horn Katharine Caliendo

Aaron BraskDebra Sherrill

Trumpet 2Randy TinninTrey Moore

Tmp/Per 1Ken Every

Violas Jorge PeñaGreg Perrin

Lauren Hodges

Celli Jin Kim-Peña

Betsy FedermanBrian Magnus

Bass Kevin Casseday

UPCOMING CONCERTS

SAMF2021 CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Jorge A. PeñaArtistic Director/Founder

Bill BoxerChairman

SAMFestival.org

The Benjamin and Jean Troemel Arts Foundation

Dr. Daniel and Mrs. Teresa Rodriguez-Yip

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF ST. AUGUSTINE