The Romantics
Les Preludes, Franz Liszt
The most celebrated symphonic poem by Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, Les Preludes was written in the 1850s and premiered in 1854. The piece is based on Mediations Poetiques by Alphonse de Lamartine.
Concerto for Violin & Violoncello, Johannes Brahms
Soloist Regino Madrid, Violin
Soloist Amy Ward Butler, Cello
As a gesture of reconciliation, Johannes Brahms wrote his final work for orchestra for cellist Robert Hausmann and violinist Joseph Joachim. This is Concertmaster Regino Madrid’s third season with the McLean Orchestra, he is also a member of “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra. Principal Cellist Amy Ward Butler joined the McLean Orchestra last season and has been a member of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra since 1998.
Italian Symphony, Felix Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn’s inspiration for this piece was the color and atmosphere of Italy, which he experienced first hand through his tour of Europe between 1829 and 1831. This piece remained unpublished until after Mendelssohn’s death.
