M E D I A  A D V I S O R Y

April 16, 2018 – Richmond, Virginia Join the Richmond Symphony Associate Conductor Chia-Hsuan Lin on Sunday, May 6 at 3pm for a Metro Collection concert including J.C. Bach’s Symphony in B-flat Major, Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, J.S Bach’s Overture (Suite) No. 1 in C Major, and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major. All Metro Collection concerts are held in the Blackwell Auditorium on the Randolph-Macon College campus.

Johann Christian Bach was composing symphonies at a time when most composers were still struggling with how orchestral music could exist outside of operatic performance. His Symphony in B-flat Major is a set of six symphonies, originally published as “Opus 18.”This work is characteristically transitional, marking a turn from rigorous and complicated compositions to a far more graceful style with simple accompaniment. This work is easy to listen to and a true joy for the listener.

Richard Wagner is a true romantic composer. His works are known for imitating life and telling stories of love. Siegfried Idyll is no accept ion, functioning as a passionate and extremely personal love letter for his wife on her birthday. This piece works extremely well in a chamber music setting where the audience is in an intimate setting with the musicians just as Wagner intended when he wrote the piece.

Johann Sebastian Bach’s compositions typically fall under the category of concertos or suites. His Overture (Suite) No. 1 in C Major is a suite that follows the form of a French Overture, these overtures begin slow, with very structured composition, then movements that are very festive and full of character follow.

Prokofiev is often referred to as Russia’s rebel composer. His work was known for pushing the envelope as to what was accepted as symphonic music. Symphony No. 1 in D Major is a stark contrast to the works that gave him this reputation. Prokofiev composed this work while vacationing in the country, and the influence of this calmer, beautiful atmosphere is clearly apparent.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $10 for children and $10 at the door for college students and faculty with ID. Purchase tickets online at richmondsymphony.com or by calling 1.800.514.ETIX. A free pre-concert talk will be held from 2 – 2:30pm in the Dollar Tree Community Room on the second floor of Brock Commons across from the Blackwell Auditorium.

Many thanks to the Arts Council of Randolph-Macon College for their generous sponsorship of this concert.