Janáček’s Sinfonietta

Originally titled the “Military Sinfonietta” and dedicated “to the Czechoslovak Armed Forces,” this brassy fanfare depicts scenes from Janáček’s home city of Brno following the announcement of Czech independence. Leon Botstein and the ASO tell you the story of its creation, perform the work, and answer audience questions.  

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Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony

Sunday, February 8, 2015 Discussion/Performance/Q&A 4 PM—6:30 PM Peter Norton Symphony Space PROGRAM Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 4 ARTISTS Leon Botstein, conductor Elliott Forrest, host Hard reality. Swiftly passing dreams. Visions of happiness. This is how Tchaikovsky described his alternately defiant and joyous fourth symphony, written during a tumultuous period in his life.…

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Schubert’s Great C Major Symphony

Sunday, October 26, 2014 Discussion/Performance/Q&A 4 PM—6:30 PM Peter Norton Symphony Space PROGRAM Franz Schubert – Symphony No. 9 (“The Great”) ARTISTS Leon Botstein, conductor Elliott Forrest, host Schubert’s last symphony wasn’t heard until 10 years after his death. It was praised for its “heavenly length” and is considered his finest work for orchestra. Find…

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Brahms’ Symphony No. 2

Sunday, April 13, 2014, 4pm—6:30pm Peter Norton Symphony Space Johannes Brahms — Symphony No. 2 Leon Botstein, conductor The nostalgic beauty of this work is matched by its exuberance and thrilling drama. Leon Botstein and the orchestra will guide you through this bittersweet work with a vibrant talk with musical excerpts, and then after intermission…

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Schumann’s Symphony No. 2

Sunday, February 23, 2014, 4pm—6:30pm Peter Norton Symphony Space Robert Schumann — Symphony No. 2 Of all of Schumann’s symphonies, the second is the most indebted to the spirit of J.S. Bach, but at the same time it is among Schumann’s most original and inventive. Leon Botstein and the orchestra will point out some of…

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Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5, “Reformation”

Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 4pm Peter Norton Symphony Space Pricing: $25 / $35 Felix Mendelssohn — Symphony No. 5 Always a favorite with concertgoers, this symphony raises some fascinating questions about how Mendelssohn reconciled symphonic form with the romantic expression of religious feeling. Leon Botstein and the orchestra will give you all the background…

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