It was almost exactly a century ago that the first school of the Wiener Moderne—or, Viennese Modernism—drew to a close. By 1918, the grandiose, ever-outré gestures of Austrian composers such as Alexander von Zemlinsky and Gustav Mahler influenced late-Romantic and early Modern composers around the globe. But it was the Second Viennese School, through the atonal composition breakthroughs of the German composer Arnold Schoenberg, for which the movement might be better known. What’s certain is this small-yet-influential school of thought continues to reverberate throughout the worlds of art, music, and philosophy. With that lasting legacy in mind, the Brooklyn Metro Chamber Orchestra is thrilled to announce the opening concert of its Sixteenth Season: A Celebration of Viennese Modernism. Under the continued direction of Artistic Director Philip Nuzzo, the September 21st concert at BAM reflects the full range of style from this seminal era in music.

Maestro Nuzzo and the BMCO open the program with Alexander van Zemlinksy’s Psalm 23. A vibrant work full of shifting harmonies, it stands between the culminating Romanticism of Mahler and the yet-to-come atonality of Schoenberg. Joining the BMCO will be one of the City’s finest vocal ensembles; the Young New Yorkers’ Chorus, and soprano Elisa Nikoloulias who has performed, among other prestigious stages, at Carnegie Hall as a soloist in 2016.

Schoenberg’s The Book of the Hanging Gardens is rarely performed. The BMCO presents the American premiere of Richard Dunser’s orchestration. Rising soprano soloist Melody English performs in her second appearance with the orchestra with dance by contemporary choreographer and dancer Sharleen Chidiac.

Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, perhaps the most-loved of his four Wunderhorn compositions, rounds out the program. From its opening sleigh bells to the beautiful leid finale this symphony captures the true Viennese spirit.  The beautiful fourth movement will be sung by powerhouse soprano Kelly Glyptis.  

Tickets

Location

BAM Fisher

30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA