Prelude: Masterpieces of Classical Music

Overview
This concert is for novices and connoisseurs alike, and is a journey through 400 years of classical music. Wine reception to follow.

“Prelude” doesn’t only mean “an opening piece,” but can also symbolize the beginning of a musical journey.

For those who are not yet very familiar with classical music, entering a concert hall can often come with the feeling of not quite knowing how to listen. Classical music, especially instrumental works, has no lyrics. Much of its meaning is understood through the listener’s feelings, imagination, and interpretation.

Because of this, people sometimes feel that it is difficult to connect with the performers, or that classical music is harder to grasp immediately.

In addition, classical concerts are often surrounded by certain stereotypes: the expectation is often that everyone must dress formally, turn off their phones, sit completely still for two hours, and watch the performance without even the freedom to drift off for a moment.

One of the reasons we created Opus X was to guide people toward a deeper understanding of what classical music truly means, and why it remains so important in our world.

Classical music is one of the most important foundations of many musical forms. Its structure is extraordinarily rich and intricate, so feeling that you “do not fully understand it” is actually completely natural. Much of the music we know today, including pop music, has inherited aspects of its language and development from the classical tradition.

Moreover, works written hundreds of years ago, even after being performed thousands and thousands of times, still contain details that invite endless rediscovery.

We warmly invite you to join us for this concert. Classical music can feel distant, until you experience it in the right setting. Through this performance, we hope to offer a new way of encountering classical music, and we believe the evening will leave you with an experience unlike any other.

We look forward to seeing you at the concert.

PROGRAM

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) – Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007

I. Prelude

Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) – The Four Seasons: Concerto No. 2 in G minor “Summer”, Op. 8, RV 315

III. Presto (Storm) trans. Nick Hersh for violin and cello

Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Trio, No. 5, Op. 70, No. 1 “Ghost” (1808)

I. Allegro vivace e con brio

–INTERVAL (5 minutes)–

Ernest Bloch – Suite for Viola and Orchestra, B.41

I. Lento — Meno lento — Animato

II. Allegro ironico

Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953) – Sonata No. 8 in B♭ major, Op. 84

I. Andante dolce – Allegro moderato

Nadia Boulanger (1887 – 1979) — 3 Pieces for Cello and Piano

I. Modéré

II. Sans vitesse et a l’aise

III. Vite et nerveusement rythmé

–INTERVAL (5 minutes)–

Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) – La muerte del ángel (Death of an Angel)

arr. José Bragato for piano trio

Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion

arr. José Bragato for piano trio

Astor Piazolla – Libertango

arr. TEHO for piano trio