David BernardGuest Conductor

Stravinsky
“Firebird” Suite (1919)

Rimsky-Korsakov
Scheherazade

We welcome guest conductor David Bernard, music director of the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, and an internationally-recognized conductor, to lead the orchestra in a program dedicated to storytelling through musical tone painting. The brilliant orchestration and vivid colors brimming from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite depicts a tale of a prince freeing his beloved from the spell of an evil spirit. Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade”, featuring the BSO’s co-concertmaster Hannah Finkelberg, depicts the powerful narratives of “The Arabian Nights”—including the alluring storyteller Scheherazade, shipwrecks, thieves and the bustling markets in ancient Baghdad—with a captivating combination of energy and passion.

Tchaikovsky
“Romeo and Juliet” Fantasy Overture
Felipe Tristan, BSO Assistant Conductor

Rimsky-Korsakov
Capriccio Espagnole

de Falla
El sombrero de tres picos (The Three-Cornered Hat or Le tricorne)

Ravel
Bolero

The BSO’s assistant conductor Felipe Tristan begins this program with Tchaikowsky’s musical depiction of Shakespeare’s tragedy – soaring love theme and swordfights included! Maestro Nick Armstrong continues with three Spanish-flavored works, the highly colorful “Capriccio Espagnole,” de Falla’s “El sombrero de tres picos ", and – bring on the snare drum players – Ravel’s “Bolero” which he described as one huge orchestral crescendo…. Shades of Rossini?