Concert Preview: Boston University at Symphony Hall

This special evening at Boston’s historic Symphony Hall, one of the world’s most renowned concert venues, features not just one, but three of Boston University’s ensembles: the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Chorus. Boston University Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Sarah Ioannides, performs Richard Strauss’ Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59 and Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2 (with Boston University Symphonic Chorus)

Following the intermission, we have the unique duality of romanticism at its height: Strauss, with a Suite from his fifth opera which captured the hearts of opera-lovers, and Ravel, celebrating 150 years since his birth. Strauss, like Ravel, used melody to depict stories and ideas, otherwise known as “leitmotifs.” The Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, (1911) is also heavily focused around dance, as Strauss wrote his opera Der Rosenkavalier with the idea of the waltzes from Mozart’s time. Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite no. 2 (1912) is a story that revolves around the two pastoral lovers, Daphnis and Chloé, exploring the importance of melody and dance forms as Ravel was fascinated with both.

“BU’s Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Chorus, under the batons of Sarah Ioannides, Kenneth Amis and Daniel Parsley, are presenting a wide-ranging and highly varietal program; these works challenge the most seasoned performers and represent the musical aspirations of top ranked educational institutions anywhere,” says Michael Reynolds, Director, School of Music