Concert conveys power of the horn

usic Society launches its 2009-2010 Symphony Season on Sunday, November 8, with a program that features some of the most moving solos for the horn in the symphonic repertoire.

It is appropriate, therefore, that this concert also feature one of the finest horn players in the world, guest soloist Willi Schwaiger, principal horn of the Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg, Austria.

The virtuosity of brass musicians will quicken the pulse in this exciting and joyful program honoring the gleaming horns of the orchestra.

One of the most unique instruments to be played, the alphorn, had a profound influence on the music of Leopold Mozart, who was something of a trailblazer in the use of unusual instruments.

Centuries ago, these gigantic horns were used to call cows, communicate to villages across the valley and create a foghorn-like tone in the mountains. Today, it has made it from the Alpine pastures to the concert hall.

Leopold Mozart wrote two pieces for the alphorn and only one is in existence today. Seldom heard in the concert hall, this will be a rare treat to hear the rustic quality of the alphorn against a sonorous string contingent in Mozart’s Sinfonia pastorella.

Maestro Jon Robertson leads the Redlands Orchestra in four great pieces from four very different composers, including the light and humorous side of classical music by father and son Leopold and Amadeus Mozart.

The program also includes Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 31, known as the “Horn Signal” symphony, which gives a prominent role to an unusually large horn section, and the heroic yet cheerful Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in F Major, which completes this splendid presentation.

This concert presents a rare opportunity to hear the orchestra with Schwaiger’s unparalleled sounds at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, in the Bob Burton Center. There will be a conductor’s preview at 2:30 p.m. which is open to all ticket holders.

Fallbrook Music Society is committed to sharing the appreciation of classical music and building community through premium quality live performances.

For concert tickets and more information, call the box office at (760) 451-8644 or visit http://www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org.