Naumburg Orchestral Concerts (7/8/25)

Orchestra of St. Luke's

Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) String Symphony no. 10 in B minor, MWV N 10, (1823) 1. Adagio – Allegro – più presto 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), Divertimento in D major, K 136, (1772) 1. Allegro, 2. Andante, 3. Presto 

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904), Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22, (1875) 1. Moderato, 2. Menuetto, 3. Scherzo, 4. Larghetto, 5. Finale

Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) String Symphony No.12 in G minor, MWV N 12, (1823)
1. Fuga (Grave), 2. Andante, 3. Allegro molto – più allegro

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K 525, (1787) 1. Allegro, 2. Romance: Andante, 3. Menuetto: Allegretto, 4. Finale: Rondo Allegro 

The program looked good on paper, and I was really looking forward the Dvořák.  It's a piece I danced to when I was in college, paired with a Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings. (Oh, the things that are stuck in these old gray cells.) Alas, the weather did not cooperate. We heard the first Mendelssohn work and the first movement of the Mozart as well as a portion of the second movement.

Even though there were a few sprinkles, the concert began as scheduled. Sort of. The program listed above was not the order of the works in the printed program. The Naumburg website was updated, so I did a copy/paste.

The Mendelssohn began in a slightly foreboding way, neither dour nor dire, just pensive. A quick tempo change followed that was pleasant and upbeat. And then it was off to the races for the finish.

I'm not a key person per se (some people have visceral reactions to the key a piece is in), but after the B minor Mendelssohn, the D major Mozart was definitely bright from the get-go, bright and fun. The second movement was gentle and almost song-like. Then the rain came down harder. Then there was lightning, which is always a no-no. The concert was paused and then canceled. And I've still never heard the Dvořák live. I'll have to keep my eyes and ears on the lookout for other live performances.

Fortunately, the Naumburg concert on July 22 had perfect weather, so you'll hear more about that one later.

ConcertMeister