Concert 1 – Masterpieces

Saturday 14th March, 7:30pm
Sunday 15th March, 2:30pm
Mosman Art Gallery

Beethoven: Coriolan Overture

Bruch: Violin Concerto No.1

Beach: Symphony in E minor

Program summary

Beethoven: Coriolan Overture

We begin our 2026 program with Beethoven’s turbulent C minor Overture. Beethoven composed the Coriolan Overture in 1807 as an introduction to Heinrich Joseph von Collin’s tragedy Coriolan written in 1802, but little performed after its initial success. Beethoven’s turbulent C minor Overture embodies the drama of the play, depicting the emotional conflict of the Roman general Gaius Marcius Coriolanus, torn between violent revenge and the emotional pleas of his family.  Beethoven compresses the entire emotional arc of Collin’s tragedy into a tightly coiled, intensely expressive musical argument, capturing the moment when pride gives way to humanity, and humanity leads to downfall.

Max Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1

Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor (1866), is a cornerstone of the Romantic repertoire, celebrated for its lyrical beauty and intense virtuosity. The soloist faces extreme technical challenges, beginning with an improvisatory, rhapsodic opening that transitions seamlessly into a passionate Adagio. The finale is a fiery, dance-like movement demanding brilliant double-stops, rapid-fire bowing, and high-register acrobatics. It is a true ‘fireworks’ piece that forces the violinist to combine singing melodies with relentlessly fast and technically difficult passages.

MSO is thrilled to again be joined by Ellie Malonzo, violinist and composer, who last year performed with the MSO Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor and in 2024 her own 3rd Concerto for Violin in A major.

Amy Beach: Gaelic Symphony

Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony in E minor (1896), is a cornerstone of American Romanticism and the first symphony composed by an American woman. Written as a response to Dvořák’s call for American music to embrace indigenous roots, Beach utilised Celtic folk melodies to honour America’s Irish immigrant community. The four-movement work blends rich, sweeping melodies, turbulent orchestral colors, and Irish dance themes, showcasing both technical mastery and emotional depth.