Works of Genius by Prodigies
CONCERT SOLD OUT!
The New York Philharmonic's
Leelanee Sterrett is sure to impress on the virtuosic
Strauss Horn Concerto No. 1
ADDITIONAL TIDBITS
Franz Josef Schubert
The Four Year Post Overture
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7 MINUTES
Opening with pastoral tranquility that leads to a lively allegro with a military element and plenty of horns, the work showcases Schubert’s genius. He started piano at age 3, and found his true gift in composition while in his teens, writing this opera in just 12 days.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 25
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21 MINUTES
With this work in particular, Mozart made the first decisive step from wunderkind to great composer. As a teen attracted to the anti-establishment ideas of Sturm und Drang, there’s an intense, fiery nature that gets the blood pumping, as opposed to Mozart’s usual delicacy. It’s also unusual for the G minor key and scoring for four horns. One of the greatest classical composers of all time, his influence in the years after his death at 35, was profound. Beethoven composed his early works in the shadow of Mozart, and Haydn wrote, “Posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years.”
Richard Strauss
Horn Concerto No. 1
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16 MINUTES
Raised with the sounds of his renowned father’s horn playing, it was inevitable that Richard Strauss explored the great potential of the horn as both a solo and orchestra instrument. Horn Concerto No. 1 is one of the most-demanding solo works for horn, using the highest and lowest notes in the instrument’s register, often in quick succession. With the opening notes, the solo horn is prominent with a heroic theme. In the more reflective second movement the soloist offers a gentler, more flowing theme. The final march-like movement returns to the heroic attitude from the first movement, with a flamboyant opening melody that sets an overall tone of high drama.
Leelanee Sterrett
A principal with the New York Philharmonic, Leelanee Sterrett is an alumna of Ensemble Connect, Carnegie Hall’s collective of young professionals and music advocates and serves on the horn faculties of Rutgers University and New York University.
Asked about her most inspiring composers, Sterrett replied, “Stravinsky, Ravel, and Richard Strauss. Their colors and harmonies are unlike anyone else’s, and they all wrote beautifully for horn.”
More about Ms. Sterrett on the New York Philharmonic website
SPENCER LLOYD
Georges Bizet
Jeux d'enfants
(Children's Games)
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12 MINUTES
As teenagers leaving childhood behind, Schubert, Mozart, and Strauss had different games to play when they composed their early masterworks. Georges Bizet was also a young prodigy, winning the premiere composition prize, the Prix de Rome, at age 19.
From the original 12 miniatures for piano duet, Bizet selected five of picturesque vignettes that so charmingly evoke a child’s world to make up a Petite Suite for orchestra.The suite opens with a miniature Marche featuring trumpets and drums; the Berceuse is a gently rocking lullaby for a doll; the central Impromptu sparkles with a game of spin-the-top; the enchanting Duo between violins and cellos depicts a little husband and little wife playing house. The piece comes to a rousing finale with the favorite 19th century Galop being danced at a ball.
Why You Shouldn't Miss It
Franz Schubert
The Four Year Post Overture
Horns aplenty with a military element.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 25
This work has an intense, fiery nature, as opposed to Mozart's usual delicacy. Unusual in its scoring for four horns and G minor key.
Richard Strauss
Horn Concerto No. 1
One of the most demanding solo works for horn, using the highest and lowest notes in the instrument's register, often in quick succession.
Georges Bizet
Jeux d'enfants
Imagine your inner child for this playful work.