Two Symphonies & A Modern Mass

Two festive and cheery symphonies bookend this uplifting concert. Brahms’ first symphony took 21 years of struggle and soul-searching to compose, so it was a surprise when he introduced his second within months. Composed while on summer vacation, his second symphony has been called pastoral, evoking rippling streams, blue skies, and sunshine. Contrastingly, Mozart’s 34th is full of fanfares and flourishes. Rutter’s Mass of the Children, an uplifting celebration of youth, is a traditional Mass with Latin text interwoven with English poems.