April 29, 2021 – The final concert of the 20th anniversary season is a celebration of the symphony’s first-ever performance of a Brahms symphony. Johannes Brahms proved himself the heir to the throne of Beethoven—his powerful, evocative, and highly romantic 4th Symphony (first movement) will be a spectacular accomplishment for the Symphony of the Hills outstanding musicians. Anyone who loves orchestral music and the Texas Hill Country will want to be in the Kathleen Cailloux Theater for this special performance. The symphony will open the concert with a brilliant piece played by the symphony 20 years ago at the end of their first season—Rimsky-Korsakov’s inspiring “Procession of the Nobles.” Following the Rimsky-Korsakov, we offer to all of humanity a world premiere orchestral work commissioned by the symphony in celebration of our 20 seasons. Internationally celebrated composer Dr. Ethan Wickman has created a new symphonic work that will be performed for the very first time on this concert. The piece will forever carry the name of the Symphony of the Hills. Next on this star-studded program will be a parade of soloists that will then take the stage for several short concertos featuring outstanding Kerrville alumni musicians from over the years. These soloists, who all grew up in the Kerrville area, will be featured along with symphony concertmaster, Phil Johnson, and symphony principal second violin and assistant conductor Pat Lee. The first half will close with the majestic first movement of Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. When you take your seat for the second half of the program, the symphony will present the finale from Beethoven’s greatest achievement, his Symphony No. 9 with chorus, soloists, and orchestra. We are hopeful that the power of music will help us complete our season safely and successfully.
Rimsky-Korsakov – Procession of the Nobles
Ethan Wickman – River of Stars (World Premiere for our 20th anniversary season)
Vivaldi – Concerto for Two Cellos
Jessica Lee and alumni soloists Vivaldi – Concerto for Four Violins in B Minor
Phil Johnson, Pat Lee, and Kerrville alumni soloists Brahms – 1st Movement from Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98
Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 Finale, with Chamber Choir and Guest Soloists
TWO PERFORMANCES ON THURSDAY, APRIL 29 AT 6 AND 8:30 P.M.
FOR YOUR SAFETY, DOORS WILL OPEN FOR THE 6 PM PERFORMANCE AT 5:30 PM AND WILL CLOSE AT 7:15 FOR CLEANING BETWEEN PERFORMANCES. DOORS FOR THE 8:30 PM PERFORMANCE WILL OPEN AT 8 PM.
MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED IN THE THEATER AT ALL TIMES UNLESS SEATED.
