Westmoreland Symphony's 'The Four Seasons' includes performance on rare violin

Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming performance will offer the audience a rare treat, adding to the pleasure of hearing one of the most beloved pieces in the classical canon.

Guest violinist Bella Hristova will join the orchestra for Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” playing an instrument made in 1655 by Italian artisan Nicolò Amati.

The virtual concert will livestream from The Palace Theatre in Greensburg at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

“What’s surprising is that a good number of these ancient instruments are still being played,” said WSO Artistic Director Daniel Meyer, who will conduct. “The violin hasn’t really improved in technology in over 400 years. What other technology is there that can claim that?

“I think the makers would be very pleasantly surprised to see that they haven’t been supplanted by new technology, and that these very fragile pieces of wood have stood the test of time,” he said.

“It’s an added bonus that (the violin) is older than Vivaldi (who was born in 1678),” said WSO Executive Director Endy Reindl. “You don’t have to be a classical music aficionado to appreciate that.”

“The Four Seasons” was composed for solo violin, strings and harpsichord, Meyer said, which — by precluding wind and brass instruments — makes it appropriate for the times.

“We’re still performing abiding by CDC recommendations, which limits what we can use,” Meyer said. “That really focuses your lens.”

Instead of a harpsichord, the symphony will use an electronic instrument that simulates the sound.

Emotional connection

“‘The Four Seasons’ is one of the great works for solo violin and orchestra,” Meyer said. “It brilliantly depicts each season and connects us emotionally to what we feel at those times of the year.”

“Who doesn’t know it?” Reindl said. “It’s one of those pieces that, even if you think you know nothing about it but you bought the classic CD sampler back in the day, you’ll be familiar with it. It’s just a beloved piece all around.”

For Hristova, this will be a repeat appearance with the symphony.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing her back to Greensburg,” Meyer said. “There’s a luxurious sound to her playing, a beautiful energy to it that also energizes us as we support her.”

A native of Bulgaria, Hristova now resides in Philadelphia with her husband, the American classical composer David Serkin Ludwig, who was commissioned by a consortium of eight major American orchestras to write a violin concerto for her.

A recipient of numerous prizes and awards, she has performed with orchestras around the world and in premiere venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

Along with the Vivaldi, the March 20 program will include “Andante Festivo” by Jean Sibelius and “Divertimento No. 1 in D major. K. 136” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The 4-minute Sibelius piece for strings and timpani has “a beautiful, hymn-like quality” and “a patriotic fervor that makes it feel like a precursor to his ‘Finlandia,’” Meyer said. “It makes a nice concert opener.”

The Mozart “is designed to be an occasional piece” for a party or other celebration, Meyer said. “It demonstrates his ability to write beautiful music with a light touch.”

The concert link, good for an entire household, may be purchased for $20 with the code “SPRING15” by calling 724-837-1850 or visiting westmorelandsymphony.org.