On Tuesday June 7 at 8 pm, Brahms, Vivaldi, & Nielsen, the opening free orchestral concert of the Washington Square Music Festival’s 58th season, features two concertos: Brahms Double Concerto in A minor and Vivaldi’s Concerto for two trumpets.  The Festival is under the auspices of the Washington Square Association, Inc.  Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. Festival info line: 212-252-3621 www.washingtonsquaremusicfestival.org

June 7: Festival Chamber Orchestra conducted by Lutz Rath

Washington Square Park, main stage south of Fifth Avenue

Rainspace: NYU’s Frederick Loewe Theatre, 35 West 4th Street

Antonio Vivaldi:  Concerto for two trumpets in C major, RV 537

     Brad Siroky, Paul Murphy, trumpet soloists

Carl Nielsen:  “Oriental Festival March” from Aladdin Suite

Johannes Brahms: Double Concerto in A minor, op. 102

     Larisa Elisha, violin & Stephen Elisha, cello -- soloists

"I have had the amusing idea of writing a concerto for violin and cello … If it is at all successful, it might give us some fun," wrote Johannes Brahms to Clara Schumann in the summer of 1887.  This popular composition was Brahms’ last orchestral work. Our performance in the Square features soloists Russian-born violinist Larisa Elisha and cellist Stephen Elisha, who are recognized internationally as virtuosi players. 

Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for two trumpets and strings is one of the few solo works of the early 1700’s to feature brass instruments.  It is the only such piece by Vivaldi.

Carl Nielsen was a Danish musician, conductor and violinist who some consider his country’s greatest composer.  “Oriental Festival March” is a popular extract from Aladdin, incidental music written to accompany a Dramatic Fairy Tale presented at The Royal Theatre in Copenhagen in 1919.