PROGRAM NOTES
Glinka: Overture to "Rouslan and Ludmila"
This opera based on the Russian folklore, is one of the most popular pieces ever composed by the Russian composer, Glinka (1804-1857). This lively and cheerful overture is more frequently performed independently than the opera itself today.
Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33
This piece composed by a Russian composer. Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) is known to require high technical skills of a cellist. From the title "Rococo Theme", we could understand that this melodic piece expresses the elegance of the Court during the mid-17th century to mid-18th century France.
Ravel: Tzigane
Ravel (1875-1937) is one of the most famed contemporary French composers. 'Tzigane' (gypsy in French) is a dramatic arrangement of the gypsy music. 'Tzigane', incorporating various advanced violin techniques, is very popular among the highly skilled violinists today.
Mozart: Symphony No.39 in E-flat major. K.543
Three symphonies numbered 39 to 41 are said to be the greatest of all music composed by Mozart (1756-1791). It only took one summer of 1788 for Mozart to compose all three, and Richard Wagner highly praised the three symphonies by saying, "Mozart has successfully achieved the pinnacle of the different instruments to 'sing'".
