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Symphony No. 83 in G minor ("The Hen") was composed by Joseph Haydn in 1784 as part of a commission from the Parisian concert society, Concert de la Loge Olympique, for six symphonies, now known as the "Paris" Symphonies (Nos. 82-87). This opportunity came shortly after Haydn's contract with Prince Nicolaus Esterházy was renewed, allowing him to accept outside commissions and compose for a larger orchestra.
The symphony's first movement begins with a G-minor motif, followed by a contrasting second theme in the first violins that inspired the nickname "The Hen" due to its clucking sound. The second movement, a gentle Andante, features two theme groups with ascending and descending scales. The Minuet is balanced by a light trio with flute and violin. The Finale, with a jig-like rhythm, revisits the minor-key turbulence of the first movement but concludes energetically in G major.
George Walker's life and career were marked by numerous milestones. He was the first African American to graduate from the Curtis Institute of Music with diplomas in both piano and composition. In 1945, he was the first African American to debut with a solo recital at Manhattan’s Town Hall and perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra as the soloist for Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3. By 1950, he became the first African American artist to sign with a major management company, leading to a series of high-profile concerts across Europe. In 1956, he became the first African American to earn a doctoral degree from the Eastman School of Music. In 1961, Walker joined Smith College as the first tenured African American faculty member. In 1996, he was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his composition "Lilacs for voice and orchestra." By his death in August 2018, Walker was one of the most acclaimed composers in American history.
One of Walker's enduring works is "Lyric for Strings," composed at age 24. Inspired by Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings," a piece by his Curtis Institute classmate, "Lyric for Strings" originated as the middle movement of Walker's first string quartet, initially titled "Lament" in memory of his grandmother. The composition blends lush harmonies with stark solo passages, showcasing the string orchestra's range. Walker, who never played a string instrument, expressed a fascination with strings that began with this piece.
World Premiere of Cody Forrest's Cello Concerto, featuring cellist Joey Gotoff!
And an assortment of Holiday Specials!
Program:
Haydn Symphony No. 83
George Walker: Lyric for Strings
Cody Forrest: Cello Concert
Holiday Music
General Admission $35 - Children & Students FREE