Classics II: Heroes & Villains West Ottawa Performing Arts Center

Johannes Müller Stosch, conductor
Moni Simeonov, Violin

MOZART Overture to Don Giovanni, K. 527
PROKOFIEV Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55, “Eroica”

Mozart composed his frenetic overture to his opera Don Giovanni less than 48 hours before the opera’s premiere. Its mixture of dark and light moods prefaces the opera’s contrasting themes of comedy vs tragedy. Prokofiev’s second violin concerto is a whirlwind mix of dance rhythms, angular and athletic passages showcasing the soloist’s skills, with a Spanish flare that pleased the audiences at its premiere in Madrid. Beethoven’s “heroic” third symphony signified a huge step towards romanticism with its grand orchestrations, lush harmonic structure, and bold depiction of the rise and fall of a hero.

Moni Simeonov returns for his third appearance with HSO! He teaches at the Bob Cole Conservatory at California State University Long Beach, where he is a colleague and friend of Johannes. He has concertized around the world and is passionate about music education for young people, coached alongside Midori for her Orchestra Residencies Program American and International tours. https://fromthetop.org/musician/moni-simeonov/