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Mahler's Fifth and Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Featuring Jing Wang, Violin
Consider it a musical “double bill” of two blockbuster masterworks. That’s what the acclaimed Peninsula Symphony has in store on May 16 and 17 when the ensemble presents Mahler’s mighty Symphony No. 5 in C major and Mendelssohn’s sunny and energetic Violin Concerto in E, Op. 64, one of his last orchestra pieces. These two equally great Romantic compositions explore vastly different emotional landscapes – making for a powerful and magnificent evening of music.
“Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is a virtuoso work which features some fabulous displays of technical prowess from the soloist. But it also showers the audience in a steady stream of rich and warm-hearted rhapsodic melody,” said Peninsula Symphony conductor Mitchell Sardou Klein. “Our soloist will be the winner of the 2007 Irving M. Klein International String Competition in San Francisco, violinist Jing Wang. He is a mesmerizing performer, dynamic and animated, and his interpretation of the Mendelssohn Concerto will enchant you.”
Mahler’s Fifth is a tall and vast mountain of music, written for a very large virtuoso orchestra. Beginning with a funereal trumpet solo that explodes into fiery outbursts of orchestral temperament, it progresses through five movements of emotional turbulence, including the vehement storms and stresses of the second movement, a flashy scherzo, the haunting and profoundly peaceful Adagietto, and a breathtaking finale. Mahler’s world is as complex, troubled and tumultuous as Mendelssohn’s is contented and blissful. Hearing two of their most celebrated compositions in juxtaposition will be interesting and challenging.
Friday, May 16, 8pm
San Mateo Performing Arts Center
600 N. Delaware St., San Mateo
Saturday, May 17, 8pm
Flint Center
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., De Anza College, Cupertino
General $34
Senior/Student $29
Buy tickets online or for more information call (650) 941-5291.
The Peninsula Symphony is a 90 member community orchestra in its 59th season, making it one of the oldest, most established symphony orchestras in the Bay Area. Its members are professionally trained musicians, substantially all of whom volunteer their time to the Orchestra. Each year the Orchestra performs 12 concerts in venues from San Mateo to Cupertino. These concerts consist of the annual subscription series, the jazz series, Holiday concerts and a Family Concert. Buy tickets online or for more information call (650) 941-5291.
