Setting Symphony Hall On Fire

This week The Phoenix Symphony's focus shifts back to Stravinsky, one of our spotlight composers for the 2008-09 Season. While many orchestras choose to perform one of the shorter suites available from The Firebird, The Phoenix Symphony will take on the entire ballet score revealing all the intricacies Stravinsky penned into this uplifing masterwork. The Firebird also holds a special place in Symphony Hall's past as it was the featured work of the grand re-opening of the newly rennovated Symphony Hall in September of 2005 - a metaphorical Phoenix of the arts rising up once again in the heart of downtown.

But variety makes a grand appearance in this program as well. Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments features great exposure for some of the winds you don't see or hear all that often such as the alto flute and contrabassoon. Also, everyone's favorite symphonic prankster (think Surprise Symphony), Joseph Haydn, comes out strong with Symphony No. 90 which contains what is arguably one of his biggest musical 'jokes'. The final movement of Symphony No. 90 ends with a solid C-major and is followed by four measures of silence leading those who have never heard the piece before to assume it's over. But then the orchestra picks up the theme again, this time a half-step higher in D-flat major. Now that you've read this blog, you'll know exactly when to start clapping. Feel free to inform those seated around you at the concert of the joke or not, depending on how much you want to participate and be 'in' on Haydn's joke.

Virginia G. Piper Music Director Michael Christie stopped by to talk about and show you some of the music from this program, so check it out in the video below. If you don't have your tickets yet, you can find them online for this Thursday, Friday morning, and Saturday.