Reading Symphony Orchestra to present ‘Scandinavian Dreams’ on Oct. 20
The program honors the spirit of Scandinavia with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 paired with Joel Puckett’s Short Stories in a new arrangement for orchestra and string quartet.
The Reading Symphony Orchestra presents Scandinavian Dreams on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Santander Performing Arts Center. The program, led by Music Director Andrew Constantine, honors the spirit of Scandinavia with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 paired with Joel Puckett’s Short Stories in a new arrangement for orchestra and string quartet. The program kicks off with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture.
BEETHOVEN - Egmont Overture: This powerful and expressive piece shares a similar style to Beethoven’s famous Fifth Symphony, and represents one of the last works of his middle period. Composed during the Napoleonic Wars, the Egmont Overture expresses Beethoven’s political concerns in rebellious nature.
PUCKETT - Short Stories, RSO String Quartet: Joel Puckett’s Short Stories, a series of eight vignettes, is unique in its construction and focus on pairs. Its beginning and end serve as a frame story, with each vignette linked through a layered thematic language.
SIBELIUS - Symphony No. 2: Composed and premiered around the turn of the 20th century, Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 was proclaimed “a confession of the soul” by the composer. The music of Sibelius embodies the spirit of Scandinavia and his Second Symphony is no exception, with its spirit of musical patriotism.
Tickets for Scandinavian Dreams can be purchased at Ticketmaster, 610-373-7557 or tickets@readingsymphony.org.
Additional performances in the 2018-19 season include Orchestral Masterpieces on December 1, dedicated to beloved classical works including Debussy’s Clair de Lune to Bernstein’s Candide Overture; a celebration of 2019 with New Years Eve: The Music of James Taylor & Carole King on December 31; a performance featuring acclaimed pianist Julio Elizalde in Beethoven Piano Concerto on January 26; Lincoln Portrait: Images of Freedom, Aaron Copland’s tribute to the nation’s 16th president with photochoreography by Westwater Arts on March 9; the magic of cirque with aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, dancers, and more, in Cirque De La Symphonie on April 13; and Puccini’s Tosca in collaboration with Berks Opera Company, the Reading Choral Society and Berks Youth Chorus on May 4.