Themes & Variations

We close our season with three tributes—each a reflection on musical lineage and transformation. Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Haydn, originally for two pianos, pays homage to a melody once thought to be Haydn’s. While the theme’s true origins remain uncertain, the variations themselves are a masterclass in invention and reverence, echoing Haydn’s discipline and craft.

Before intermission we’ll welcome Karen Schubert, ACO’s principal horn, for Mozart’s Fourth Horn Concerto—a playful, virtuosic gem written for his close friend and brilliant horn player, Joseph Leutgeb. The second half explores transformations of piano music. Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis bursts with color and energy, reimagining Weber’s charming four-hand parlor pieces as an orchestral tour de force. In the spirit of musical evolution, pianist Tao Lin and Maestro Amado will present selections from Weber’s original piano works, illuminating Hindemith’s ingenious craft.