Print edition: 
It’s bombastic, and it’s fun. It’s Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 40th Symphony. And, like its composer, it’s larger than life.
Joining this great work, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra will perform Maurice Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couperin” and Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor. Renowned violin virtuoso Chee-Yun will play Sibelius’ timeless piece.
In his short life, Mozart composed 41 symphonies, 21 piano concertos, 17 Masses, dozens of string quartets, concertos for woodwinds and strings and several operas. Mozart, a child prodigy, joins the list of great composers of the classical period (1750-1830), a time known for clear and balanced compositions. Other great composers of this period include Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert.
Daniel Hege, the music director and conductor for the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, is thrilled to offer Mozart’s 40th — one of his favorites.
“It has a lot of power,” Hege said. “There’s almost a spiritual quality to it. It’s very intense. It’s very exciting.”
During the summer of 1788, Austrian-born Mozart composed three symphonies in less than three months — the 39th, 40th and 41st. It also was during this time period that Mozart’s 6-month-old daughter, Theresia, died. The 40th symphony is one of only two symphonies that this musical genius set in a minor key. Also, trombones and timpani are absent from this piece.
“The 40th is maybe the most well-known because of its emotional depth. It covers the whole range of expression,” Hege said. “It has gorgeous melodies, one after another.”
Three years after writing these last three symphonies, Mozart died at age 36. His death was several months after the birth of his second surviving son, Franz Mozart.
Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couperin” serves as the appetizer for this exquisite meal. This short work, originally written for the piano, was turned into an orchestral piece by Ravel. Although “Tombeau” was completed in 1917, many elements of the work are reminiscent of earlier musical forms, including the French Baroque period.
“He’s breathing a beautiful new contemporary piece into a more traditional form,” Hege explained. “It’s just a beautiful sound for the ears.”
The sound is enhanced by the skilled oboe soloist. Andrea Banke, the WSO’s principal oboist, will perform this pivotal role.
Ravel, born in France, was the son of Basque and Swiss parents. During World War I, he served his country as a military driver. After the war, he dedicated “Le Tombeau” to friends who died in service for France. This invigorating work serves as a tribute to their lives.
After Ravel’s colorful piece, virtuoso violinist Chee-Yun will perform Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor. Chee-Yun attended The Juilliard School, won the 1989 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and has performed with many notable conductors, including Pinchas Zukerman and Michael Tilson Thomas. Her nine recordings span from Beethoven to Brahms to Szymanowski. This Korean-born violinist entered her first competition at age 8.
“It got me hooked,” Chee-Yun said. “I loved being on stage. I guess I was craving that adrenaline rush.”
After winning competition after competition in her native land, Chee-Yun decided to study in New York City.
“I thought that coming to America would be like coming to Disney World,” Chee-Yun said, chuckling. “I learned quite quickly that it wasn’t Disney, but studying with Dorothy DeLay was wonderful.”
Chee-Yun said that if she can move just one person with her performance, she is successful. Her goal is to inspire people.
This nationally renowned violinist will perform what Hege calls “one of the great violin concertos of all time” on a 1708 Stradivarius.
“It’s just a thrill to the senses,” Hege said of Sibelius’ work. “If people want to hear something that is going to knock their socks off in terms of technical virtuosity and sheer beauty of sound, they should not miss this.”
Finnish-born Sibelius composed this work just after the turn of the 20th century.
Hege calls Chee-Yun’s connection to the music strong and engaging.
“The audience will see an involved, compelling artist,” he said. “It’s one of the most exciting concertos of all the literature.”
