Dissent and Beauty

Sunday, September 28, 2pm, MassBay Community College, 50 Oakland St, Wellesley

Margaret Brouwer (1940 - ) Path at Sunrise, Masses of Flowers

Alan Hovhaness (1911 - 2000) Symphony No. 1, Exile

Dimitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975) - Symphony No. 5

Path at Sunrise, Masses of Flowers, by Margaret Brouwer, is a one movement work for orchestra, was commissioned by the Cleveland Women's Symphony for its 75th Anniversary Concert with a 2009 Commissioning Music/USA Award from Meet The Composer.   Visualize walking down a path in the quiet of early morning at sunrise.  The sun gradually rises on masses of flowers planted closely - jumbled together in a profusion of vibrant and delicate colors and myriad textures.  Picture walking through this beauty with a mix of personal emotions - sadness - acceptance - gratitude - and appreciation for the beauty of the flowers and the sun. - Margaret Brouwer

Alan Hovhaness Symphony No. 1, Exile was composed in 1936 and was premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the conductor Leslie Heward. The work commemorates the genocide of the Armenian people, including Hovhaness's paternal family, during the Ottoman Turkish occupation of World War I The symphony is dedicated to English writer and philosopher Francis Bacon.

- Wikipedia

The world of classical music is a treasure trove of timeless compositions that continue to captivate audiences across generations. Among these masterpieces stands Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a work of profound emotional depth and musical ingenuity. From its dramatic opening to its triumphant finale, the Fifth offers a symphonic journey that demands attention and rewards the listener with an unforgettable experience.

- Colorado Symphony

Concert Slide Presentation

As part of our concert experience, information and thoughts about the music are displayed in the auditorium. To see them, click on the 'Performances' menu and choose 'Sept 2025 Concert Slides'