MUSIC

Grand Harmonie presents an exciting symphonic program spotlighting our wind section under the baton of Boston Consevatory's Andrew Altenbach. The centerpiece of this program is Harvard Professor Robert Levin's reconstruction of Mozart's rarely-performed Symphonie Concertante for four winds and orchestra. One of America's foremost musicologists and world-renowned Mozart expert, Professor Levin has made extensive study of the Symphonie Concertante. Through his research he uncovered the work's fascinating history, full of itinerant soloists, artistic power struggles, and anonymous copyists. Professor Levin himself will be joining us for this project, delivering a pre-concert lecture accompanied by live demonstrations from the soloists.

Two of the other works are already audience favorites. Weber's overture to the opera Der Freischütz features perhaps the most famous horn quartet writing of the early 19th century, and listeners will have the pleasure of hearing it played on natural horns, as the composer originally intended. Schubert's “Unfinished” Symphony needs almost no introduction, with its haunting opening in the low strings and sublime slow movement, but the use of historical trombones will lend our performance a special nobility. As an extra treat, we will also present Mozart's Divertimento K.131, a virtuosic work by the 16-year old prodigy featuring solo flute, oboe, bassoon, and a horn quartet in high-spirited conversation with the string orchestra.