Winter Concert 2008

Dobson High School Symphony Orchestra

December 15, 2008

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Serenade for Strings............................................................................... Joseph Suk

Andante con moto

This was written on the recommendation of Dvorak, who felt that the 18-year-old Joseph Suk -his son-in-law - should broaden the emotional content of his compositions, which to that point were very dark and tragic, and write something more cheerful. It shows elements of Dvorak's influence, while being very original music.

Simple Symphony........................................................................Benjamin Britten

Boisterous Bourcc

Sentimental Saraband

Frolicsome Finale

The piece is based on eight themes which Britten wrote during his childhood, between the ages of nine and twelve, and for which he had a particular fondness.

Suite from the "Nutcracker Ballet" (1892)..................Peter Tchaikovksy

March Dance of the Reeds

Chinese Dance Russian Dance: Trepak

The Nutcracker Suite is the shortened orchestral version of The "Nutcracker Ballet". Eight of the more popular numbers from the ballet, selected by Tchaikovsky, form the Nutcracker Suite.

Finlandia (1899)..................................................................................Jean Sebelius

Finlandia is probably the most widely known of all the compositions of Jean Sibelius. Most people with even a superficial knowledge of classical music recognize the melody immediately. Finlandia also became a symbol of Finnish nationalism. The penultimate hymn-like section, which is Finland's national anthem, is particularly familiar. Soon after it was published, the Finlandia Hymn was performed with various words as far afield as the U.S.A.

A Christmas Festival (1952).....................................................Leroy Anderson

A Christmas Festival, written for the Boston Pops in 1950 showcases eight traditional carols: Deck the Halls, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, Hark the Harold Angels Sing, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, O Come All Ye Faithful, and ]oy to the World.

Symphony No. 8 in G Major, op. 88 (1889)......................Antonin Dvorak

I. Allegro con brio

The Symphony No. 8inG major, Op. 88 was composed and orchestrated by Antonin Dvorak within the two-and-a-half-month period during 1889 in Vysoka, Bohemia and was premiered in Prague on February 2,1890. Though not as famous as Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, this symphony is more cheery and draws inspiration from the Bohemian folk music that he loved. There are four movements in the symphony and we plan to play one movement at each concert this Full Symphony season. Tonight we will be performing the first movement which is a powerful and glowing work. It is characterized with a lyrical and haunting theme in G minor, played by the cellos and a "bird call" melody from the flutes. The general cheery nature of this movement is contrasted sharply by the more ominous minor-key sections later on in the piece.