Youthful Brilliance, rescheduled from June 15
Because this festival series was made for children of all ages, we are also offering families with young children to attend for the price of a single ticket. 2022-23 season or festival passholders also do not need to purchase a new ticket.
- Francis Poulenc, Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano
- Ludwig van Beethoven, Trio in G Major, WoO 37 for Flute, Bassoon, and Piano
- Joseph Miroslav Weber, Septet in E Major, “Aus Meinem Leben”
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963), Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano
Poulenc’s wealthy French family afforded him the private study of piano and composition. Initially intrigued by the music of Debussy, Ravel, Schoenberg, Stravinsky, and Bartok, he instead joined Les Six (“The Six”), whose members stressed unpretentious and not overly sentimental music. This trio was Poulenc’s first major chamber work and reflects other composers’ styles, including a “Mozartian” flavor. While Poulenc did not care to follow the sonata form of evolving and developing themes, he did note:
For those who think I don't care about form, I've no objection to unveiling my secrets here: the first movement follows the plan of a Haydn Allegro, and the final Rondo the shape of the scherzo in Saint-Saëns's Second Piano Concerto. Ravel always recommended this method to me, which he often followed himself.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), Trio in G Major, WoO 37 for Flute, Bassoon, and Piano
Beethoven’s grandfather was from what is now Belgium and eventually became a Kapellmeister (church music director) in Bonn, Germany, where his portrait hung in his grandson’s room. This trio was only discovered after the composer’s death and is thought to have been composed while he was a teen and working as an organist. Much like Mozart, Beethoven’s father promoted his son as a new child prodigy, with his first performance at age 6 (more likely 7).
This work was written for Count and amateur bassoonist Friedrich Von Westerholt to perform with his son and daughter playing flute and piano, respectively. Even at a young age, Beethoven shows his passionate side with many colorful changes in musical motifs that would become his characteristic style in adulthood.
Joseph Miroslav Weber (1854-1906), Septet in E Major, “Aus Meinem Leben”
Weber was a Czech composer who wrote highly regarded chamber works, including this septet “From My Life” which won the highest prize in a Vienna Composers Society competition for works that included wind instruments. The movement subtitles give some hint at their themes reflecting on youth.
- On the banks of the Moldau [River], Youthful Dreams
- Student Life, Life’s Ideal
- At the graveside of his love
- In a struggle for existence, Disappointed hopes, Memories of youth
– Program notes by Malcolm Zachariah
