Saturday
July 11, 18, and 25
10-10:45 a.m. (central time)
Accessible on Zoom
Free; registration required
Symphony 101
Since our inception, LAMF has been committed to providing educational activities for audiences of all ages. Most years learning opportunities have pivoted around the repertoire presented on our season. This year, before we kick of the 12th annual season we will host three introductory talks co-hosted by conductor Christian Reif and LAMF Associate Artistic Director John Taylor Ward.
JULY 11
The Classical Era
The Classical period of music is typically defined as the period from about 1750-1820 and featured familiar composers like Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Many of the most famous works of of the repertoire spring from this period which was focused on order and proportion. Conductor Christian Reif will lead this session from Germany with John Taylor Ward; together they will bring light to this important era and answer your questions in an interactive dialogue.
JULY 18
Wagner and the Total Artwork
No composer is more polarizing than Richard Wagner. His larger than life creations required monumental changes to the way opera was conceived and created, and his singular approach divided the musical world into pro- and anti-Wagner camps. His virulent antisemitism continues to be an issue with his works, and yet Wagnermania continues to this day. We will explore this complicated figure and his massive works.
JULY 25
Shostakovich and the State
For most composers, a bad review of a new piece means little more than a professional setback. However, in Stalin’s Soviet Union, the stakes were much higher. In this discussion, we explore how composer Dmitri Shostakovich navigated this high-risk political world, and how the need to stay in favor with the authorities affected his works.