麻豆社

"About many things in this world there is simply nothing to be said - Mozart's C major Symphony with the fugue, much of Shakespeare and some of Beethoven" - these words of Robert Schumann show how, even half a century after it was written, Mozart's final symphony continued to challenge and impress audiences. Ben Gernon and the 麻豆社 Philharmonic open their concert tonight with the 'Jupiter' Symphony and end their concert with a work bearing another famous nickname, Beethoven's last concerto, the 'Emperor'. Framed by these two late works is a work inspired by Longfellow's epic poem, The Masque of Pandora. According to Greek legend, Pandora was the first women in the world and given a gift by each of the gods, including a jar or a box which she was forbidden to open. She succumbed to temptation releasing all the evils into the world, managing to slam on the lid again before hope escaped. Just one of many large-scale choral and orchestral works by Alice-Mary Smith, her setting of Longfellow's poetry also showcased two purely instrumental and delicate Intermezzos which we hear this evening.

Programme

Mozart: Symphony No 41 (K 551) 'Jupiter'

Alice Mary Smith: The Masque of Pandora - two intermezzos

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No 5 'Emperor'