Celebrate the brilliance of Ludwig van Beethoven with Beethoven’s Fourth, a concert featuring guest conductor Leslie Suganandarajah, Music Director of the Salzburg Landestheater. The evening begins with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Ballade in A minor,” a work filled with passion and lush string moments, influenced by his mentor, Sir Edward Elgar. This piece, full of high spirits and warmth, offers a glimpse into Coleridge-Taylor’s potential had he lived longer.
Next, Walter Kaufmann’s Six Indian Miniatures provides a musical journey through the rich landscapes of India. Kaufmann, WSO’s first Music Director, composed these pieces after spending years in India writing film scores. These miniatures are musical postcards, offering vivid depictions of East Indian scenes and culture.
The concert concludes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, a sparkling and joyful piece that often surprises audiences with its wit and charm. Sandwiched between the more famous Third (Eroica) and Fifth symphonies, the Fourth Symphony is a hidden gem that showcases Beethoven’s lighter side and inventive spirit.
