From the hushed drumbeats and soulful winds that open the work, Beethoven’s violin concerto trades in show-stopping fireworks for moments of breathtaking pastoral poetry. DSO Concertmaster Alexander Kerr serves as the evening’s soloist, ready to warm our hearts with melodies of sublime tranquility, harmonies of unassuming beauty and a rollicking finale that evokes Austrian folk dances.
In a heartfelt testament to his devout Protestant faith, Mendelssohn’s “Reformation” Symphony commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, a pivotal event in the Lutheran Church’s history. This monumental work charts an emotional journey of resilience and freedom that culminates in a triumphant finale based on Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”