Four Symphonic Interludes from Intermezzo, Op. 72 TRV 246 Richard Strauss (1864–1949) Richard Strauss decided to write the libretto for his two-act comic opera Intermezzo after several writers turned down the job. The subject matter was a little too personal: its barely disguised main characters, Robert and Christine Storch, were based on Strauss and his wife Pauline. Pauline de Ahna Strauss, an operatic soprano and the daughter of a general, believed she had married below her station. She considered her husband's music vulgar and unoriginal; their relationship was stormy, though Strauss would draw equal inspiration and ire from his wife. The opera was based on a reallife incident from his precarious domestic life. As the story goes, a letter meant for the conductor Josef Stransky (nicknamed "Straussky") arrived accidentally at the Strauss household. Pauline opened it and was scandalized to find it addressed to "Darling Love," followed by a request for tickets to an upcoming concert; the letter was signed by an unknown woman. Disaster ensued; divorce loomed; Strauss was only able to remedy the situation after much drama and the intervention of a close friend. Intermezzo was first performed on 4 November 1924 — the day that Strauss stepped down as principal conductor at Vienna State Opera. He extracted four of the symphonic interludes — which enjoyed more success than the opera itself — and published them as a suite. Slavonic Dances Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) See page 58 for program note PROGRAM NOTES © JUN-LONG LEE (2025)
PHOTOS © CHRIS LEE
to sight-read the finale; furthermore, a Viennese legend suggests that Clement himself wrote its famous hunting theme. Though it was not well-received at the time, Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major has gone on to become one of the most beloved and recognizable violin concertos, remarkable for the stately beauty of its first two movements and the majestic triumph of the third.
GIL SHAHAM VIOLIN Gil Shaham is one of the foremost violinists of our time; his flawless technique combined with his inimitable warmth and generosity of spirit has solidified his renown as an American master. He is sought after throughout the world for concerto appearances with leading orchestras and conductors, and he regularly gives recitals and appears with ensembles on the world's great concert stages and at the most prestigious festivals. Highlights of recent years include a recording and performances of J.S. Bach's complete sonatas and partitas for solo violin and recitals with his long-time duo partner, pianist Akira Eguchi. He regularly appears with the Berlin Philharmonic, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco Symphonies, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, and in multi-year residencies with the Orchestras of Montréal, Stuttgart, and Singapore. Gil has more than two dozen concertos and solo CDs to his name, earning multiple Grammys, a Grand Prix du Disque, Diapason d'Or, and Gramophone Editor's Choice. Many of these recordings appear on Canary Classics, the label he founded in 2004. His 2016 recording, 1930s Violin Concertos Vol. 2, as well as his 2021 recording of Beethoven and Brahms Concertos with The Knights were nominated for Grammy Awards. Gil was awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1990, and in 2008 he received the coveted Avery Fisher Prize. In 2012, he was named Instrumentalist of the Year by Musical America. He plays the 1699 'Countess Polignac' Stradivarius and performs on an Antonio Stradivari violin, Cremona c1719, with the assistance of Rare Violins in Consortium, Artists and Benefactors Collaborative.
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