This afternoon's concert celebrates the arrival of spring with three dramatic and moving works.

The opener, Shiver and Bloom, is a musical dialogue between the human mind and body. Often perceived as two separate realms, in reality mind and body are intrinsically connected, and so Adolphe explores how two contrasting sound characters seek a harmonious coexistence.

The Benjamin Britten piece is a character sketch of the composer’s teacher, Frank Bridge, whom he admired deeply. Britten captures the fascinating complexity of Bridge’s personality in a series of brief movements for string orchestra.

The final work is a classic piano concerto that Beethoven himself debuted almost exactly 217 years ago, on April 3, 1803. The third piano concerto is a perfect blend of drama, virtuosity and sublime beauty. And, given that 2020 is the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, there could be no better way to close out The Symphonia's season than with the captivating soloist Marika Bournaki performing this powerful piece.

Read more about composer Julia Adolphe

Program

JULIA ADOLPHE

Shiver and Bloom

BENJAMIN BRITTEN

Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Piano Concerto No. 3