Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony: Masterworks

Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony: Masterworks

R. Strauss: An Alpine Symphony
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Respighi: Pines of Rome

Scale the highest musical mountain as Michael Francis brings together more than 100 musicians – onstage and off – to perform Richard Strauss’ spectacular tone poem An Alpine Symphony for the first time in 25 years. The thrilling journey through the peaks and valleys of the majestic Alps takes you to glaciers, waterfalls and one of the most famous orchestral thunderstorms ever created. Then, let Concertmaster Jeffrey Multer and the sublime violin solo of Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending lift your spirits before you are swept away by the grandeur of Respighi’s Pines of Rome, which surrounds you with the breathtaking sound of brass positioned in the audience.

We’re full of surprises. Select Masterworks concerts have a surprise inside – a short mystery piece that connects to the program in an unexpected way. Each one is Michael Francis’ little secret.

Classical Kids & Teens: Kids and teens ages 5-18 get in free to all Masterworks concerts with Classical Kids tickets, thanks in part to the generous support of an anonymous donor. At least one paying adult purchase is required per order, and other restrictions apply. These tickets are available in advance only through The Florida Orchestra Ticket Center. For more information and tickets, call 727.892.3337.

Richard Strauss
(1864 – 1949)
An Alpine Symphony

  1. Nacht (Night) 
  2. Sonnenaufgang (Sunrise) 
  3. Der Anstieg (The Ascent) 
  4. Eintritt in den Wald (Entering the Forest)
  5. Wanderung neben dem Bache (Wandering near the Stream) 
  6. Am Wasserfall (At the Waterfall) 
  7. Erscheinung (Apparition) 
  8. Auf blumige Wiesen (On Blooming Meadows) 
  9. Auf de Alm (On the Alpine Pasture) 
  10. Durch Dickicht und Gestrüpp auf Irrwegen (Going Astray) 
  11. Auf dem Gletscher (On the Glacier) 
  12. Gefahrvolle Augenblicke (Dangerous Moments)
  13. Auf dem Gipfel (At the Summit) 
  14. Vision (View) 
  15. Nebel steigen auf (Fog Arises) 
  16. Die Sonne verdüstert sich allmählich (The Sun Gradually Darkens) 
  17. Elegie (Elegy) 
  18. Stille vor dem Sturm (Calm Before the Storm)
  19. Gewitter und Sturm (Thunder and Storm) 
  20. Sonnenuntergang (Sunset) 
  21. Ausklang (Vanishing Sound) 
  22. Nacht (Night) 

Intermission

Ralph Vaughan Williams
(1872 – 1958)
The Lark Ascending

Ottorino Respighi
(1879 – 1936)
Pines of Rome

  1. I pini di Villa Borghese (The Pines of the Villa Borghese)
  2. Pini presso una catacomba (Pines Near a Catacomb)
  3. I pini del Gianicolo (The Pines of the Janiculum)
  4. I pini della Via Appia (The Pines of the Appian Way)

Program Notes

Author Kurt Loft, freelance writer and former music critic for The Tampa Tribune, provides detailed and informative program notes about the pieces on this program. Click here to read online.

Printable Program

Click here for a printable version of the repertoire and program notes.

Audio Program Notes

Pre-Concert Conversations

Get the real story behind the composers and their music, straight from the conductor and guest soloists. Starts one hour before each Masterworks concert in the theater. Included free with each concert ticket. 

Sponsored by The Ruth & J O Stone Foundation

Artists

Learn more about the artists performing on this program.

Thank you to valued Corporate Partner, and Opening Night Masterworks sponsor, Shumaker, and Board Director Gregory C. Yadley

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The Hough Family
Music Director Sponsor



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