Orchestra of St. Luke’s

Mozart brings the Classical symphony to a glorious apotheosis, while Beethoven heralds a new age of violin concertos. The “Jupiter”—Mozart’s final symphony—has grandeur in its opening movement, tenderness in its Andante, grace and wit in the Menuetto, and propulsive joy in its finale. The antecedents of the large scale, athletic violin concertos of the Romantic era are found in Beethoven’s masterpiece. His Violin Concerto is broader in scope, more opulently orchestrated, and features a solo part unlike anything that came before it. There is also a rarely performed work by Mozart’s Swedish contemporary, Joseph Martin Kraus.

Orchestra of St. Luke’s

Mozart’s final symphonies are pinnacles of Classicism that boldly point to the Romantics. His Symphony No. 40 opens in a state of nervous agitation and culminates in an edge-of-your-seat finale that Wagner called “exuberant with rapture and audacity.” The “Emperor” Piano Concerto is grandly virtuosic and heroic in spirit—a towering landmark where Beethoven the master pianist and symphonist are brilliantly fused. There’s also new songs from Bryce Dessner, co-commisioned by Carnegie Hall, setting the deeply moving poetry of Argentinian writer Alfonsina Storni.