Stravinsky and Britten

This program features music from two prominent composers of the early 20^th century. Both Stravinsky and Britten went to the United States when World War II broke out, and it was there that most of the pieces on this concert were composed. Britten's Violin Concerto is considered one of his very best compositions, with its expressive lyricism interspersed with dramatic passages. A few years later, Stravinsky wrote Symphony in Three Movements, his first large work after immigrating to the US – a work that he himself referred to as his “war symphony”, a darker and more powerful piece than he had written for some time. In contrast, his chamber concerto Dumbarton Oaks is a light, pleasing work in neoclassical style reminiscent of Bach's Brandenburg concerti. 

Viviane Hagner is one of Germany's most prominent violinists. She has performed with all of the world's leading orchestras and appears regularly with artists such as Daniel Barenboim and Yo-Yo Ma. Matthew Halls is a familiar face to Icelandic concert goers, as he has conducted regularly in Iceland since 2009. A highly respected conductor the world over, he recently received outstanding reviews in major Berlin newspapers for his Good Friday performance of the Passion According to St. John.