San Antonio Philharmonic
Classics 8
April 14 & 15

Kazem Abdullah, conductor
Vanessa Becerra, soprano

The only thing better than a concert featuring works by Barber and Mozart is a concert featuring two works by these illustrious composers. The Philharmonic will share Barber’s Adagio for Strings—arguably his best-known work—which was originally the slow movement from his String Quartet, Op. 11. Then, because both Barber and Mozart were known for their skill at composing for voice, soprano Vanessa Becerra joins Kazem Abdullah for Mozart’s concert aria, Bella mi fiamma, and for Barber’s wistful and nostalgic Knoxville Summer of 1915, which is set to a prose poem by James Agee. The concert closes with Kazem and the orchestra performing Mozart’s beloved Symphony No. 40.

Barber’s Adagio for Strings
Mozart Concert Aria “Bella mia fiamma”
Barber Knoxville Summer of 1915
Mozart Symphony No. 40

Kazem Abdullah photo credit: Peter Boettcher