Mei-Ann Chen, Conductor
Anne-Marie McDermott, Piano
George Whitefield Chadwick – “Jubilee” from Symphonic Sketches
Amy Beach – Piano Concerto
Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony #5
New England positively shines in newly appointed Artistic Director Mei-Ann Chen’s first concert under her new title, featuring works by two of the “Boston Six” and America’s first great composers, Lowell, Massachusetts born George Whitefield Chadwick, and Henniker, New Hampshire born Amy Beach. Chadwick’s exhilarating ‘Jubilee’ from Symphonic Sketches sets the tone, with the composer’s unique energy and nod to Dvorak. The first-ever piano concerto written by an American woman follows; the Piano Concerto in C-sharp minor, Op. 45 composed by Amy Beach and premiered by Boston Symphony Orchestra. Emotional swells and turbulent aural waves of passionate sound spin a story that, according to the composer, is a romantic autobiography. Juxtaposed against these works is a cornerstone of Western music – Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, with its unforgettable four-note opening motive seemingly representing FATE knocking on the door!