The University of Tokyo Philomusica Symphony Orchestra 61st Subscription Concert

　The first piece we present is Tchaikovsky's Italian Fantasy. Arranged from Italian folk songs based on his several trips to Italy, several motifs are developed in dizzying changes of tempo and beat.
　Richard Strauss's symphonic poem "Don Juan" follows. This early work, based on a poem by Löhnau based on a Spanish legend, offers a taste of Strauss' orchestration in all its splendor.
　The main program will feature Finnish master Sibelius' Symphony No. 2. The majority of the work was written in Genoa during a family trip to Italy. The warm climate and abundance of inspiration were directly incorporated into the work, which is filled with a variety of elements reminiscent of Italy. Sibelius pursued the symphonic form in his own unique way throughout his life. As Sibelius said, "Italy is a land of magic," and to his eyes, living in a snowy country, Italy was a land of never-ending fascination.
　Please enjoy the Philomusica sound of this program of three pieces that evoke the folkloric sentiment of Europe.