ABOUT THE WORKS
29 + 30 MAY
This concert features the debut of a new work by Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock, commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic. She has provided the following programme note: INTERLOPER Jocelyn Morlock (b. 1959) A 21st-century listener hearing Beethoven’s fourth symphony drinks in the mysterious slow introduction to the work, comfortably expecting the energetic first movement proper that we’ve heard dozens of times; but in 1806, beginning a work titled Symphony No. 4 in B Flat Major in the minor mode was transgressive — then, as now, a living composer was out to surprise, to shock us, maybe make us laugh, maybe scare us a little. Beethoven was an interloper himself; he struggled to improve his social and financial status, gradually morphing from socialist outlier to colossus. But I’ve been wondering — must the image of Beethoven be mutated from one of quirky, humorous, disruptive artist, to deified cultural icon — and is this truly a positive transformation? I came to classical music in late adolescence — as with many composers of my generation, by way of Amadeus — and felt like I’d passed through a magic portal. Since then I’ve been inviting myself into the musical worlds of great western art music composers of the past, and making myself at home. Interloper’s adoptive home is those first three notes of Beethoven 4, the unexpected minor mode, and the commensurate sense of strangeness and unreality that might be comforting, or perhaps rather scary.
Friday 29 May 2020 / 7:30PM Saturday 30 May 2020 / 7:30PM Jack Singer Concert Hall Masterworks
Beethoven 4: Bold Matthews Family Dedication Concert SPONSORS + SUPPORTERS New Commission Supporter: DeBoni New Works Guest Artist Supporter: Naomi + John Lacey Virtuoso Programme Series Sponsor: United Active Living Conductor Couturier: Umberto Custom Tailors Ltd.
PROGRAMME Rune Bergmann, conductor Jocelyn Morlock, composer Katherine Chi, piano Jocelyn Morlock
Interloper
12'
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 I. Allegro moderato II. Andante con moto III. Rondo: Vivace
34'
Intermission
20’
Beethoven Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60 I. Adagio - Allegro vivace II. Adagio III. Allegro vivace IV. Allegro ma non troppo
34'
Programme and artists subject to change without notice
46 | PRELUDE calgaryphil.com | 403.571.0849
indicates Canadian artist or composer
PIANO CONCERTO NO. 4 IN G MAJOR, OP. 58 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 to 1827) Beethoven composed both works on this programme during the period 1805 to 1806, an especially fruitful
Rune Bergmann biography on page 7
