Program
• Fauré: Pavanne, Op. 50
• Bruch: Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46
• Sibelius: Symphony No. 7, Op. 105
Evoking spirituality and emotion through music.
Music and mysticism are intertwined through their shared ability to evoke spiritual and emotional experiences that transcend ordinary perception. Many cultures recognize music as a medium for mystical experiences, serving as a bridge to the divine or the ultimate reality, often described as ineffable and deeply personal. We intend to explore all these areas in the final concert of our 2025 Season with works by • Fauré, Bruch & Sibelius.
Fauré's Pavanne
Speaking "directly to your heart"
Gabriel Fauré's Pavane is a short orchestral work composed in 1887 originally for piano, but it is more widely known in its orchestral version. The piece, inspired by the slow processional Spanish court dance, was first performed in Paris in 1888 and has since become one of Fauré's most popular works, celebrated for its delicate and airy orchestration and memorable flute theme.
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The piece is generally described as relaxing, melancholy, and graceful rather than mystical. However, a few aspects of the Pavane could potentially be interpreted as having mystical qualities. Pavanne is described as speaking "directly to your heart," perhaps evoking an emotional resonance touching on deeper, perhaps spiritual feelings, and the ever so small changes to the main theme. Reharmonizations make you think that there might be hidden depths or layers of meaning behind the work; the slow and deliberate tempo recalls a meditative or contemplative state of mind.
No matter the effect, it is a delightful work we are confident you will enjoy!
Bruch's Scottish Fantasy
Exploring the mysteries in nature
Max Bruch's Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46 is a composition for violin and orchestra that was completed in 1880 and dedicated to the virtuoso violinist Pablo de Sarasate. The work is structured as a four-movement fantasy based on Scottish folk melodies, including tunes such as "Through the Wood Laddie," "The Dusty Miller," "I'm A' Doun for Lack O' Johnnie," and "Hey Tuttie Tatie," which is associated with the patriotic anthem "Scots Wha Hae" with lyrics by Robert Burns. Despite Bruch's visiting Scotland only after the work's premiere, he had access to a collection of Scottish music at the Munich Library, which influenced his composition.
Beethoven's Symphony #5
Fate knocking at the door
This unique single-movement symphony is notable for its innovative structure, which deviates from the traditional multi-movement symphonic form.
The 1924 premiere in Stockholm programmed the piece as Fantasia Sinfonica No. 1 but the symphony was later recognized by Sibelius as a “full symphony,” and it features a prominent trombone theme that contributes to its majestic and cohesive nature.
We have included this piece as one of our “mystical masterpieces” given its transcendent qualities in the strings and timeless nature of the piece.: The work is characterized as having "visions of light in the strings" that made it a cult composition among some composers. This suggests an ethereal, transcendent quality. Descriptions of the music evoking glaciers, mountains, and Arctic waves suggest a vast, cosmic scale to the work.