Stern's Farewell with Sibelius and Barber

Michael Stern, conductor

FELIX MENDELSSOHN Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream

SAMUEL BARBER Symphony No. 1

JEAN SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2

With a virtuosic program to close this magnificent season, Maestro Stern shares music that inspires him.

An astounding child prodigy, Felix Mendelssohn composed the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream when he was only 17 years old. This brilliant music captures the essence of Shakespeare’s play and stands on its own as an orchestral masterwork.

Long a fan of Samuel Barber’s elegant writing, Stern and the Symphony recorded Symphony No. 1, sharing their take on this American classic. Enjoy the immediacy and vibrance of this one-movement symphony, with its sleek lines and piquant harmonies.

In Jean Sibelius’ glorious Symphony No. 2, Stern and the orchestra will take you on a journey across vast expanses. Transparent textures are etched with incisive melodies that float effortlessly. Fire and warmth beckon as you trek through the crystalline Nordic landscape of this symphony, ending with a well-earned sense of triumph and satisfaction. Bravissimo!