More about the Program

Maestro Andrew Sewell presents the program with Len Jarrott on Monarch Radio.

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Program Notes

by Andrew Sewell

The Hebrides Overture by Mendelssohn is one of his most famous pieces. Inspired by a sea journey to the outer Hebrides off the coast of western Scotland, it emphasized programmatic ideals of nature. In the music we hear the sea birds, the sound of howling wind and the rocking waves. In the process, he created a new genre known as the concert overture.

The Cello Concerto in E minor, op.85, was the last major work Elgar completed. It premiered in 1919, immediately following the aftermath of the Great War. The music is soulful, elegiac and contemplative. The performance and subsequent recording by Jacqueline Du Pre in 1965 solidified it’s place in the standard repertoire and today, alongside Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, it is one of the most frequently performed cello concertos in the International repertoire. There are four movements, the added second movement scherzo, Allegro molto, preceding the slow Adagio. Much of the work is a conversation, the cello taking on the role of a “bard” almost in dialogue with the orchestra. This is most apparent in the finale with its various reprises of themes from earlier movements.

In the past two years, Grover Beach resident and composer Stefan Podell, has added four commissions to his growing stable of works, as part of a fundraising campaign for the symphony’s annual gala. His career has taken him along various paths, including arranging orchestral charts for artists such Jon Anderson of the group “Yes”, Kenny Loggins, Melissa Etheridge and Jason Mraz. He has several concertos and compositions from commissions by the Cleveland-based Contemporary Youth Orchestra.

He cites John Williams as one of many composers who inspire his work. Stefan is also our current SLO Symphony Board chairman. The world premiere of “Rise”, is inspired by the late Ben McAdams, benefactor, curator of all things arts and medically related, and a prominent SLO arts patron. Thanks to sponsors Carol and Ingrid Siegel, the work focuses on the theme of Ben’s legacy and his place in the community as a “superhero.”

Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G major op.88, is among Dvořák’s most popular works. Composed while Dvořák was living in New York in 1889, the cello section is featured prominently along with solos for flute, English horn, French horn and trumpet. Known for his gift of melody, the Eighth is cheery, lyrical, and nostalgic, drawing inspiration from the Bohemian folk music that Dvořák so loved.