Austrian-born American composer and famous film score composer, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, despite his great popularity with a wide audience, was not always appreciated by critics. A precocious genius, Korngold, who had already written small piano pieces at the age of 8, made his debut as a composer at just 13 with the two-act pantomime Der Schneemann , performed at the Vienna State Opera to great success, and as a conductor a few years later in 1920. Meanwhile, Korngold had also established himself as an opera composer, when in 1934 he was invited to the United States by the famous director Max Reinhardt, who entrusted him with the task of arranging Mendelssohn's incidental music for his film version of A Midsummer Night's Dream . From then on, Korngold devoted himself to composing film scores for Warner Bros., which in 1938 also commissioned this score for the film  The Adventures of Robin Hood , directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley. Korngold was initially hesitant to accept this commission, as he didn't consider himself particularly suited to composing music for an action film, seeing himself more as a "composer of drama and heart." Following the insistence of producer Hal B. Wallis, Korngold finally agreed, setting as his conditions, first of all, that he not sign a contract and that he work week after week, so that he could decide to withdraw at any time if the score he was composing didn't convince him. In fact, it seems that the worsening political situation in Austria also influenced Korngold's decision, especially following Hitler's meeting with Austrian ministers in 1937. Indeed, as the composer had feared, Austria would be annexed by Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938. Korngold's concerns about his music were completely disproved by the beauty of the score which, according to music historian Laurence E. MacDonald, was one of the aspects that determined the success of this film, set in 12th century England. Moreover, the score, which resembles a late-Romantic symphonic poem, earned the composer his second Oscar, after the one he won in 1937 for the soundtrack of  Black Ivory . Consisting of four movements, the  Suite opens with a piece entitled  Alt England ( Old England ), in which, through solemn and ceremonial music, the Norman court is evoked and at the same time a feeling of nostalgia for ancient England shines through. The second movement,Robin Hood and His Merry Company (Robin Hood and His Merry Company) is a lively march that captures the spirit of Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood, while the third movement, "Love Scene" (Liebes-Szene) is the lyrical heart of the score, as, thanks to a writing characterized by broad string melodies and woodwind solos  , it evokes the love between the eponymous protagonist and Lady Marian. The final movement, "Struggle, Victory and Epilogue" (Kampf, Sieg und Epilog) is a frenetic piece full of dynamic contrasts, in which, thanks to the triumphant reprise of the Robin Hood theme, Richard's return to the throne at the expense of his usurping brother John is celebrated.

Korngold/Schreker/ Casella/Weill

Villa Filippina

Church of Saint Mary 'Maggiore'

Sesto Quatrini conducts the Orchestra of the Carlo Felice Foundation. Music by Ottorino Respighi and Alfredo Casella

Generazione 80

Carlo Felice Theater

Debussy’s La mer gushes into Severance on a wave of shimmering orchestral color, ebbing and flowing through three symphonic pictures that evoke the ocean’s power and majesty. Grammy-winning organist Paul Jacobs pulls out all the stops in Poulenc’s thundering Organ Concerto, and Daniele Rustioni leads The Cleveland Orchestra in a folkloric rhapsody by Alfredo Casella as well as Fauré’s breezy incidental music for Pelléas et Mélisande.

EPSG:4326

Debussy’s La Mer

Severance Music Center

Jennifer Kreider, soprano, is establishing herself as a performer of opera, new music, and song. Most recently, Jennifer performed a concert of world premiere chamber works at the 2025 Aldeburgh Festival. In summer 2024 Jennifer was a Gerdine Young Artist with Opera Theater of Saint Louis where she performed the role of Sagredo and went on as a cover to sing the leading role of Maria Celeste in Philip Glass’ opera Galileo Galilei. In September 2024, Jennifer was a Britten Pears Young Artist as part of the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme in England.  In competition, Jennifer won second place in the Upper Midwest region of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition after being named a winner of the Minneapolis district in 2023. At her alma mater, Indiana University, Jennifer premiered the featured role of Mrs. Frank in the world premiere production of Shulamit Ran’s and Charles Kondek’s opera Anne Frank.

FREE Courtroom Concert: Jennifer Kreider, soprano & Andrew Sun, piano

Landmark Center

Rising star violinist Alexi Kenney and Principal Guest Conductor at the Metropolitan Opera Daniele Rustioni join together for one of the most-performed 20th century masterpieces. From the first note, the violin makes its presence known with soaring, lyrical serenity and, traversing a lush middle movement of somewhat darker hue, plunges into a moto perpetuo (perpetual motion) with wild abandon that calls on all of the soloist’s virtuoso resources. You’ll also be treated to a first-time DSO performance of Casella’s Second Symphony, described by Gramophone as “a turbulent, lusciously opulent outpouring,” reminiscent of Strauss, Mahler and Rimsky-Korsakov.

Alexi Kenney Plays Barber

Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

Travel to Italy through sound! Join the OKC Philharmonic for Masters of Music: Italy—featuring Verdi, Albinoni, Casella, and Respighi’s festive masterpiece.

Masters of Music: Italy

Civic Center Music Hall

Three young Turin musicians joined forces to form a piano trio, gave themselves the unusual name Trio Concept, won First Prize at the International Schoenfeld Competition – and were proposed by us, the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, as ECHO Rising Stars. At the moment, the commissioned work is being written for the three musicians – this time a very special piece about a frog who just wants to chill on his sofa.

Sunday matinee Rising Stars

Festspielhaus Baden-Baden

The programme juxtaposes the elegance of early 20th century French composition, from Lili Boulanger and Maurice Ravel and Alfredo Casella, with the innovation of contemporary voices - including a new work by German composer Clemens Thomas.

ECHO Rising Stars: Trio Concept

LSO St Luke's

A trip to Italy at the end of winter! At the age of 22, Richard Strauss went on an educational trip to the land of lemons and brought back music as a souvenir that ranks among the Italian compositions of the 19th century by Mendelssohn, Bizet and Tchaikovsky. Enchanted by cities, ruins and life by the sea, Strauss called the movements of his orchestral fantasy "Beaches of Sorrento" or "Neapolitan Folk Life". He wove Italian hits such as "Funicoli, funicola" into the pieces. In the versatile concerto for his own instrument, the double bassist, composer and conductor Giovanni Bottesini set vocal passages alongside acrobatics across the entire fingerboard. As the "Paganini of the double bass", Bottesini revolutionized the way his instrument was played in the 19th century. The British double bassist Alexandra Scott - who travels with Europe's top orchestras and is a sought-after lecturer, chamber music partner and professor at the Munich University of Music - takes on the crazy challenge of "playing the violin with the double bass", as her colleague Ödön Rácz said.

5th Symphony Concert

Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden

David Agia performs a recital of works by Malipiero, Casella and Castelnuovo-Tedesco.

Student Degree Recital: David Agia D.M.A cello recital

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Immerse yourself in an astronomical musical journey with "The Planets - PhilOrch," a captivating concert experience presented by The Philadelphia Orchestra. This stellar performance is set to take place at the iconic Verizon Hall, soon to be rededicated as Marian Anderson Hall, marking a significant moment in the venue's history. 

Under the baton of the mesmerizing conductor Daniele Rustioni, with Paul Jacobs gracing the organ, the concert promises an unforgettable exploration of Gustav Holst's most famous work, "The Planets." This masterpiece has not only inspired generations of sci-fi film composers, including the likes of John Williams and Bill Conti, but also continues to enchant audiences with its otherworldly charm. From the ferocious energy of "Mars, the Bringer of War" to the ethereal beauty of "Neptune, the Mystic," attendees are in for a cosmic treat, complete with the haunting sounds of a female choir in Neptune that promises to transport you to galaxies far, far away.

The musical voyage doesn't end there. The program also features Alfredo Casella's "Concerto romano," a thrilling organ concerto that promises a rollercoaster of emotions through its dynamic interplay of organ, brass, and timpani. And to set the mood, Maurice Ravel's "Alborada del gracioso" will open the evening with its lively Spanish rhythms and enchanting melodies.

This performance is available as part of the 2024-25 Subscription Package, offering not only a ticket to this interstellar musical journey but also exclusive subscriber benefits. Whether you're a long-time classical music enthusiast or looking for an extraordinary night out, "The Planets - PhilOrch" is an event not to be missed.

Mark your calendars for Friday, January 31, 2025, at 2:00 PM, and Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM, and prepare for a musical expedition that's truly out of this world. For tickets and subscription information, visit EnsembleArtsPhilly.org or contact the box office. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of The Philadelphia Orchestra as they bring "The Planets" to life in a performance that promises to be as visually captivating as it is musically profound.

The Planets

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Masterworks Series: ITALIAN PIANO MUSIC FESTIVAL / Ennio Morricone, Alfredo Casella, Ferruccio Busoni / Pietro Vaccari, piano

Bargemusic

Masterworks Series: ITALIAN PIANO MUSIC FESTIVAL / Muzio Clementi, Giovanni Sgambati, Gian Francesco Malipiero, Alfredo Casella / Francesca Antonucci, piano

In the "Dreiklang" concert series, the Nuremberg State Philharmonic leaves its usual concert halls and explores new venues in Nuremberg. Music from several centuries, programs that refer to the location and expansive sound concepts lead to new (auditory) impressions and promise an exciting musical engagement with the performance venues. The baroque ambience of St. Egidien, the former Orpheum cinema and the future destination of the State Theater in the Congress Hall - GMD Roland Böer invites you to take a fresh look at the familiar and be curious about the new.

triad in the Egidienkirche

St. Egidien Church

Rachmaninoff, wizard of the piano, meets Paganini, wizard of the violin. The result: the notoriously difficult Rhapsody — 24 variations on the 24th of Paganini’s Caprices — encompassing everything from knuckle-busting runs to the terrifying Day of Wrath medieval chant and the swoon-worthy 18th variation. Followed by Casella’s thrillingly assertive second symphony, this program will take its audience on a powerful musical journey.

Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini1

Meyerson Symphony Center

Join us for an exclusive Pre-Season Donor Event: Recital & Cocktail Party on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 7 PM, hosted at the Academy University Hill, 970 Aurora, Boulder. This special evening is dedicated to our valued donors, offering a unique opportunity to celebrate the commencement of this year’s Colorado MahlerFest. The event is free for donors, highlighting our appreciation for your support and contribution.

The evening will be graced by the presence of Kenneth Woods, the Artistic Director of Colorado MahlerFest, who will introduce the upcoming season, setting the stage for an unforgettable festival experience. The musical program for the night features an exquisite recital by cellist Parry Karp and pianist Jennifer Hayghe, who will perform works by Mahler, Strauss, and Casella, promising a mesmerizing auditory journey through the compositions of these legendary composers.

The repertoire includes:
- MAHLER arr. HOWARD KARP Adagietto from Symphony No. 5, 1902
- STRAUSS Sonata in F Major for Piano and Cello, Op. 6, 1882-3
- CASELLA Sonata No. 1 in C Minor for Piano and Cello, Op. 8, 1906

As we gather for wine and hors d’oeuvres, this event is not just a celebration but a heartfelt thank you to our donors, whose generosity makes the festival possible. It’s an open invitation to all donors, and for those who wish to join this exclusive gathering, we encourage making a donation to secure your reservation.

We extend our gratitude to Academy Boulder for generously hosting this event, providing a perfect backdrop for an evening of cultural enrichment and camaraderie.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the MahlerFest community, celebrating music, art, and the spirit of generosity that defines our festival. Reserve your spot for an evening where music and appreciation converge in a beautiful prelude to MahlerFest 37.

Alfredo Casella

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 15, 2026

Sound Stories · Bühnen Bern

Past events

26 - 27 Jun, 2026

Korngold/Schreker/ Casella/Weill · Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana

May 21, 2026

Generazione 80 · Opera Carlo Felice Genova

About

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