ArmchairConcerts… keep the music playing!
SOR Concert April 7, 2024
Mendelssohn String Symphony #10
Mendelssohn was only 14 years old when he composed his String Symphony #10! The movement you hear is the only one that exists—historians don’t know whether he conceived of this symphony as a single or multi-movement composition. It begins with a slow introduction followed by an energetic Allegro and it has been a favorite of SOR musicians for many years.
Havanaise and Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Kerson Leong has been described as “not just one of Canada’s greatest violinists, but one of the greatest violinists, period.” (Toronto Star) SOR was honored to present Kerson as our soloist in April 2024, and here we showcase two of his brilliant performances from that concert: Havanaise by Saint-Saens, and the dazzling encore Recuerdos de la Alhambra for solo violin in an arrangement by Ruggiero Ricci.
String Symphony no. 10 in B Minor (1821) by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Adagio—Allegro—Piu presto
Havanaise, Op.83 (1887) by Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)
Kerson Leong, violin soloist
Recuerdos de la Alhambra (1899) by Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) / Encore piece
Kerson Leong, violin soloist
SOR Concert November 17, 2024
Cherubini Quartet #3 (arr. By B. Lieberman)
Cherubini’s third quartet is almost programmatic in character, resembling a miniature opera buffa. It is an appealing and virtuosic work, and this string orchestra arrangement features charming solos for the solo principals, including the double bass, which adds to the charm of this work. Cherubini wrote his six string quartets late in his life and was inspired and influenced by the middle and late quartets of his friend and colleague, Ludwig van Beethoven.
Carl Busch Elegie for Strings
Busch, although Danish-born, spent most of his life in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was Music Director of the Symphony and a prominent educator. His works tend to be heavily influenced by Native American and Western themes. The Elegie, a highly Romantic and strikingly beautiful work, is a new addition to the SOR repertoire.
String Quartet #3 in D Minor (1834) by Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842)
(arr. Barry Lieberman for string orchestra)
Allegro comodo / Larghetto sostenuto / Scherzo: Allegro—Moderato non lento / Finale: Allegro risoluto
Elegie for Strings, Op.30 (1899) by Carl Busch (1882-1943)
SOR Concert February 23, 2025
Boti’s Dances
Boti’s Dances is a joyful set of pieces inspired by an afternoon of babysitting a precocious two-year-old girl named Boti. The composer, a violist, performed a series of improvisations to entertain the energetic child, and these evolved into the work you hear today. The titles (created by Boti) and their translations (as understood by the composer) are listed below. For this performance, SOR was joined by fifteen talented young NextGen musicians –a truly boisterous, foot-tapping experience!
Prokofiev Quartet #2 (arr. By B. Lieberman)
This quartet was written in 1941 when Prokofiev fled to the Caucases to escape the Nazi invasion. The rustic character of the piece and the strong use of folk themes from the region are evident throughout this powerful work. This arrangement features solos throughout by the principal SOR musicians and features a dazzling cello cadenza in the third movement performed by Adam Collins.
Boti’s Dances (1978) with SOR and NextGen by Christian Woehr (b.1951)
Gahk (Everything)
Nappee (Nap)
Guck (Truck or Duck)
Gook (Gook)
Tymowt (Time Out)
Wahee (Water)
Ock (Rock)
Desseral (Cereal)
Casual and informative talks from the stage: Prokofiev by Maria Larionoff
Casual and informative talks from the stage by our SOR musicians have always been a popular feature of our SOR concerts. Now you have the opportunity to enhance your understanding of these masterpieces at home with the option to hear the commentary and musical examples as they were presented at the concert.
String Quartet #2 in F Major, Op. 92 (Kabardinian) 1941 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) (arr. B. Lieberman)
Allegro sostenuto
Adagio
Allegro
KUFM / Montana Public Radio: Live in Studio B – Video February 3, 2024
Interview with Michael Marsolek and Maria Larionoff KUFM: Live in Studio B February 3, 2024
Divertimento in D Major, K. 136 (1772) ……… Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Allegro (1756-1791)
Andante
Presto
Second Interview with Michael and Maria
String Quartet in B-flat Major, op.133, “Grosse Fuge” (1826) ………….. Ludwig van Beethoven
(arranged for full string orchestra) (1770-1827)
Overtura: Allegro-Meno mosso e moderato-Allegro-Fuga
Meno mosso e moderate-Allegro molto e con brio-Allegro
SOR Concert November 19, 2023
Dear Friends:
As the year comes to a close we are especially grateful to you—our loyal listeners and supporters. Please enjoy our latest Armchair Concert featuring works by Vivaldi, Wiren, and Dvorak, and a special bonus performance of the Bach Arioso dedicated to Dan Lambros. All of us at SOR send our best wishes to you for the New Year and we hope to see you in the audience in February!
Musically yours,
Maria Larionoff, Artistic Director, SOR
Concerto for Violin, Violoncello
Strings, and Continuo in B-flat Major, RV 547………………………………….Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Allegro
Andante
Allegro molto
Maria Larionoff, violin – Adam Collins, violoncello – Aneta Panusz, harpsichord
Arioso ……………………… JS Bach
Maria Larionoff, violin – Adam Collins, violoncello – Aneta Panusz, harpsichord
Serenade for Strings, op. 11 (1937)…………………………………………..…..Dag Ivar Wirén (1905-1986)
Preludium: Allegro molto
Andante espressivo
Scherzo: Allegro molto
Marcia
Serenade for Strings, op. 22 (1875)…………………………………………..…..Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Moderato
Tempo di Valse
Scherzo: Vivace
Finale: Allegro vivace
With Rising Stars side-by-side, featuring young string talents from our local high schools and UM School of Music.
SCOTTISH SENSATION
SOR concert November 20, 2022
Dear friends,
Our SOR musicians always enjoy our annual side-by-side collaboration with “Rising Stars”—our November 2022 performance featured young string talents from our local high schools and UM School of Music students, as well as some guests from Helena playing with us for the Grieg Holberg Suite. Their enthusiasm and energy always inspire us to play our best! Our extraordinary soloist in the CPE Bach concerto is Lorna McGhee, the critically acclaimed principal flute of the Pittsburgh Symphony. We hope you enjoy these performances!
Musically yours,
Maria Larionoff, Artistic Director, SOR
Suite Im Alten Style (Holberg Suite), Op. 40 (1884) ……………………….. Edvard Grieg
Praeludium: Allegro vivace Sarabande: Andante
Gavotte: Allegretto
Air: Andante Religioso Rigaudon: Allegro con brio
SOR and Rising Stars: side-by-side
Concerto for Flute in D Minor, Wq. 22, H 425 (1747-55) ……………………….. C.P.E. Bach
Allegro
Un poco andante
Allegro di molto
Lorna McGhee, flute soloist
KAVAFIAN PLAYS MOZART:
University of Montana, School of Music- Recital Hall – Sunday, October 2, 2022
Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra, K.364 (1779) W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)
String Orchestra of the Rockies with Ani Kavafian, violin soloist, and Maria Larionoff, viola soloist
String Quartet in D minor, D 810 Death and the Maiden (1824): Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Elegy: Crisantemi (1890): Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Enjoy,
Maria, Artistic Director, SOR
Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra, K.364 (1779) W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)
Allegro maestoso
Andante
Presto
Maria Larionoff, viola soloist, with Ani Kavafian, violin soloist
String Quartet in D minor, D 810 Death and the Maiden (1824)
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Andante con moto
Scherzo: Allegro molto
Presto (arranged for orchestra by Barry Lieberman)
Elegy: Crisantemi (1890) Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Dear Friends of SOR,
Please enjoy our Virtual Violin Valentine featuring the extraordinary musicianship of Stephanie Chase in a performance of Maurice Ravel’s Tzigane. Written in 1924 and dedicated to Hungarian virtuoso Jelly d’Aranyi, this composition is a true showcase of fiery pyrotechnics sure to add drama and romance to your Valentine’s celebration! Stephanie’s recording was praised by Gramophone Magazine for her “rich, passionate tone, dead-true intonation throughout, and virtuosity galore”.
Musically yours,
Maria, Artistic Director, SOR
Maurice Ravel: Tzigane (1924)
Soloist: Stephanie Chase
The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Geoffrey Simon
No Nutcrackers–Just Strings
One of my favorite childhood memories in San Francisco was our annual trip to the Opera House in December to see the San Francisco Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. It all seemed so magical—the plush velvet seats of the theatre, the elaborate costumes, the sets and dazzling lights, and most of all—the enchanting melodies of Tchaikovsky. Here at SOR, we have no Nutcrackers or Sugar Plum fairies, but we do have some brilliant string playing—wonderful background music to have on while baking your holiday cookies!
From all of us at SOR—wishing you and your family a magical holiday season—and all the possibilities of a wonderful New Year.
Your musical friend,
Maria, Artistic Director, SOR
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings (1880)
Andante non troppo–Allegro moderato
Waltz
Elegie
Finale: Andante–Allegro con spirito
From the September 16, 2018 SOR concert.
The next piece comes from our February 2020 concert, A Portrait of Beethoven. The power and drama of Beethoven’s Op.18 #4 String Quartet, arranged for orchestra by B. Lieberman—a masterpiece that perfectly mirrors our turbulent times!
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet in c minor, Op.18 #4 (1801)
Allegro ma non tanto
Andante scherzoso quasi allegretto
Menuetto: Allegretto
Allegro: Prestissimo
