Orchestra

Spanning three centuries of orchestral brilliance, beginning with Henry Purcell’s Rondeau from Abdelazar. Composed in 1695, this elegant Baroque dance is built on a repeating bass line and noble rhythms. Its enduring charm made it famous when quoted by Britten in his Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. Britten’s 1946 masterpiece follows, transforming Purcell’s theme into a dazzling set of variations that spotlight each orchestral family—strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Culminating in a grand fugue, the work is both a brilliant showpiece and an engaging introduction to the orchestra, full of color, wit, and unity. The concert concludes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor, a work he labored over for more than a decade. From its dramatic opening to its radiant finale, complete with a chorale theme often compared to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, the symphony affirms Brahms’ mastery and emotional depth.   Orchestral Wonders is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.