NM Philharmonic to play Mozart, Bach, Beethoven
The New Mexico Philharmonic will dive into a trio of classical masterpieces when it takes the stage at First United Methodist Church on Saturday.
The musicians will open with Mozart’s “Overture to the Marriage of Figaro,” followed by Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, then Beethoven’s rarely played Symphony No. 8.
“All three pieces are masters of the classical art,” guest conductor Patrick Kavanaugh said.
The Mozart remains one of the composer’s most famous overtures.
“It moves from one joyful tune to another very quickly,” Kavanaugh said. “It’s a very fast harmonic rhythm; it’s just flying by the time it’s over.”
The Bach concerto will feature solo violinists Sarah Tasker and David Felberg.
“It’s a phenomenal piece of music,” Kavanaugh said. “The slow movement is one of the most beautiful things he ever wrote and that’s saying something for Bach. It’s like a beautiful conversation between the two violins; almost a courtship.”
Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony is often overshadowed by his much more famous Ninth.
“I’ve never done No. 8,” Kavanaugh said. “It’s the most underrated masterpiece of the era, because right after that you get the Ninth. It’s just glorious; it’s funny; it’s got so much humor in it.”
Newly retired to Albuquerque, Kavanaugh was the conductor of the Washington, D.C.based Asaph Ensemble for 23 years.
“Albuquerque is the coolest town in the West by far,” he said. “It’s very artsy.We always wanted to live in the mountains, too.”