There is excellence from beginning to end in the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra’s opening concert on Sept. 22 at 8 pm at Ridgefield High School. The program consists of Weber’s Overture to “Der Freischütz,” Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor with guest soloist Richard Dowling, and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major.
Der Freischütz (The Freeshooter) is a fairy tale, and its 1821 premiere in Berlin was a huge success. In fact, by the end of 1822 there were over 30 separate productions of the opera. It is considered the first important German romantic opera, and its overture is one of the most popular ever written. Its use of evocative themes influenced Richard Wagner.
The concerto is one of the greatest piano composer’s most demanding works. It features beautiful melodies and almost non-stop soloist playing. Dowling has won two international and five national piano competitions and has performed in five continents. He has produced recordings from classical to ragtime, with two devoted to Chopin. A Doctor of Musical Arts, he has created several lecture-recitals, including “Performance Hints and Techniques in Piano Playing and the Music of Chopin.”
The symphony is one of the happiest in the classical literature. From the notes G, B, D of the simplest G major chord Dvořák creates the symphony’s most important material: a bird call in the first movement and a cello theme in the last movement which varies from tender and romantic to passionate and triumphant. Principal flutist Kerry Walker plays the bird call, much of the second movement melodies, and several solos in the last movement. She is a Bethel resident and Professor of Music at Western Connecticut State University.
The concert is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
