Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Annual Gala featuring Joshua Bell

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Annual Gala
program

On a brisk winter evening, a Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe left the suburbs and drove to Bass Hall in downtown Fort Worth.  The event we were attending was the concert performed prior to the annual gala held annually to benefit the symphony.  Each year a premier soloist is featured.  This year it was delightful to have Joshua Bell be that featured soloist.  

Maestro Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducted the program.

Miguel Harth-Bedoya

The first selection  on the program was the overture to La forza del destino, composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1862.  The opera is based on the story of The Force of Destiny that takes place in Spain.  Of course it is a sad story, so that is why it makes such a good opera.

Giuseppe Verdi
1813-1901

After this short overture, Joshua Bell walked to center stage for his performance.  He played Violin Concerto No.1 in G Minor, written by Max Bruch.  The premier of this piece took place in 1866 in Cologne, Germany.  Joshua did an amazing job playing this composition.  He has such wonderful energy, connection with the music, the musicians and the audience.  Needless to say he received a prolonged standing ovation.  The audience would not let him leave without at least one encore.  He choose to play the hauntingly beautiful Meditation from "Thais" by Jules Massenet.  It was just so lovely and the harpist was magnificent.  What an enjoyable performance by Joshua, Miguel and all the orchestra members.  A night to be remembered.

Max Bruch
1838-1920

Jules Massenet
1842-1912

   You Tube: Meditation


The orchestra finished the program with a piece by Richard Strauss, Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, once again an opera overture.  The opera Der Rosenkavalier, premiered in Dresden in 1911 to great acclaim.  The story line is described as: A pompous, fat, and elderly suitor favored by the father has his nose put out of joint by a dashing lover - could anything be plainer?

Richard Strauss
1864-1949

Those who had tickets to the gala that followed  the performance, hot-footed it down to the hotel for food, drinks, dancing and other events.  Where as The Travelling Toe and Dear Friend drove back to the suburbs while still savoring and discussing the entire performance. 

Bass Hall
Fort Worth

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra


FWSO Musicians


Bass Hall