The Masterworks season opens with a fond return. As the season’s Artist in Residence, former TSO concertmaster Steven Moeckel will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, and also curate the first TSO Up Close chamber series program (October 18 & 19). Schubert’s youthful Symphony No. 1 and Farrenc’s delightful Overture No. 1 round out the program.
Like Mozart, Schubert and Farrenc were also child prodigies. Schubert’s first symphony was composed at the age of 16 yet still demonstrates beautiful symphonic form, inspired by Haydn’s Symphony No. 104. 19th-century French composer Louise Farrenc was an accomplished concert pianist and her early piano works drew praise from none other than Robert Schumann. However, it’s her orchestral works that now make the greatest impression. This overture, inspired by Viennese classicism, is full of dazzling drama.