The Traveling Toe

The Traveling Toe

Saturday, March 10, 2018

February FWSO Symphonic Concert

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
program

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presented a symphonic concert that featured guest 
conductor Andrew Gourlay.  
Andrew Gourlay
Guest Conductor

Violinist, William Hagen, was the featured guest artist.  He has worn numerous competitions and is currently performing with various orchestras throughout the USA and, abroad as well.  For the current concert, Mr. Hagen performed "Violin Concerto in D Major", composed by Johannes Brahmas.  According to the program notes by Ken Meltzer, "the concerto in three movements is a masterful synthesis of Classical form, Romantic passion and virtuoso fireworks". Mr. Hagen performed on the 1735 "Sennhauser" Guarneri del Gesu violin.



Johannes Brahms
1833-1897

Mr. Hagen and his rare violin, along with the FWSO, produced a most wonderful and exhilaranting performance.  Audience members were most appreciative and after a standing ovation and prolonged applause, Mr.Hagen returned to the stage for an encore which was a lovely piece by J.S.Bach.


William Hagen
guest soloist

After a short intermission, orchestra members and Maestro Gourlay, returned to the stage and prepared to begin the second half of the program

Sergei Rachmaninoff
1873-1943

The first piece, written by Sergei Rachmaninoff, was titled "The Isle Of The Dead".
Mr. Meltzer, provided these notes about the piece:

The Isle of the Dead is Rachmaninoff's musical depiction pf paintings of the same name by the Swiss artist, Arnold Bocklin.  The paintings portray a boatman rowing a coffin to a mysterious, rock island laden with cypress trees".  


Isle Of The Dead
paiting

This was indeed a beautiful and stirring piece.  But The Travelling Toe must admit a deep fondness for Rachmaninoff's music.


Igor Stravinsky
 1882- 1972

The final piece of the concert was "Suite From The Firebird" which was written by Igor Stravinsky. He wrote the piece for Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballet Russe  Exciting ballet programs are often performed to this dramatic piece of music.





What an exciting and captivating concert!

Hopefully, both Mr. Gourlay and Mr.Hagen will return to Fort Worth soon!



Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
   







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