On Saturday March 1st at 8:00 pm, I attended the Mahaffey Theater, also known as the Bayfront Center, located at 400 First Street South in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The Mahaffey Theater was a spectacular looking performing arts center on the inside. It had a capacity of about 2,000 guests and is considered to be one of the most beautiful rooms in central Florida. The Florida Orchestra, whom now is in its 35th season and is recognized as Tampa Bay's leading performing arts institute, performed the concert. The orchestra contained 80 professional musicians and performs more than 150 concerts annually. The headline event of the evening was Sibelius' Symphony No. 2. The Conductor and Music Director Designate was Stefan Sanderling. The Concertmaster and Violinist was Amy Schwartz Moretti. The three compositions played this evening were Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K. 183, Violin Concerto, Op.14 and Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op.
Symphony Lake
: Mahaffey Theater
The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra43. Before the show began, Stephan Sanderling shared with the audience for about one hour, some highlights, insights and previews about works he has planned for the upcoming season.
The first piece played this evening, Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K. 183 was originally composed in 1773. Historians believe Mozart composed this piece to vent his anger and frustration over what is known as his "Salzburg captivity" which took place in his hometown. Others suggest that it was very unlikely that he would have voiced his rage in just this one isolated piece because Mozart usually kept the emotions of his daily life separate from those of his music. It is suggested that and more probable that Mozart was simply trying the limits of the emerging, deeply expressive style of German music. The Symphony No. 25 opens with a pulsing drive, more rhythm than...