Walking the Red Carpet for a World Premiere

My wife and I went to a World Premiere tonight. No, really. It was the World Premiere of Possibly by Micah Hayes. It's a short piece for orchestra, and was played tonight by the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. I thoroughly enjoyed the piece.

Emily Wozniak played solo horn extremely well for Richard Strauss' Concerto in E-flat major for Horn and Orchestra, No. 1, Op. 11, and the whole orchestra did a fine job of the entire programme, the remaining pieces being Richard Wagner's Trauersinfonie WWV73 and Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 107, "Reformation". The Reformation Symphony has as its theme for the last movement the highly recognisable tune from the Luther hymn "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A mighty fortress is our God").

My only disappointment was the low attendance. Most people, it would seem, only go to the Youth Orchestra Concerts if they know someone in it. Not us, though. We just saw the excellent ticket prices and I know a good bargain when I see it!

The Youth Orchestra has only one concert left this season, and the most expensive tickets in the house are just $12. I really do recommend taking the time to listen to this great orchestra.