Harmony, Humor, and Hubris

Concert Details

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor

• Corigliano: Promenade Overture
• Saint-Saëns: Carnaval des animaux (Carnival of the Animals)
• Haydn: Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor, “Farewell”

Notes from Maestro Mickelthwate

In our second Classics concert of the season, I’m combining two entertainment styles that, to my knowledge, have never been combined before – symphonic music and comedy. Really? Yes! It’s happening. Inspired by Corigliano’s Promenade Overture where the musicians are instructed to stroll on stage casually at the beginning of the piece, (something not normally done on the classical music concert stage).  I bookended this around Saint-Saëns Carnival of the Animals. The night ends with Haydn’s cheeky Farewell Symphony, which turns the joke upside down to frame the musical experience with the completely humorous unexpected- outcome. You will see … and hear.

Program Book