Lexington Philharmonic - Opening Night: The Witching Hour
“’Tis now the very witching time of night” (Shakespeare’s Hamlet). The Witching Hour explores the sublime, the mystical, and the spectral across three spellbinding works.
The night begins with This Midnight Hour by Anna Clyne, an atmospheric work inspired by the dark resonance of the low strings and two poems: La musica (The Music) by Juan Ramón Jiménez and Harmonie du soir (Evening Harmony) by Charles Baudelaire. From cascading string gestures to ghostly quarter-tone viola waltzes, the piece takes listeners on a haunting visceral journey.
Acclaimed pianist Spencer Myer then joins the orchestra for Liszt’s Totentanz (Dance of Death), a dazzling tour de force that transforms the ancient Dies Irae chant into a thrilling display of virtuosity. Fierce and flashy, this work crackles with energy and theatrical flair — Liszt at his most audacious.
We conclude The Witching Hour with Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. This revolutionary work, fueled by the composer’s unrequited love and opium-induced visions, is a kaleidoscope of emotion, from pastoral longing to bizarre hallucination. With the thunderous “March to the Scaffold” procession and the grotesque revelry of the “Witches’ Sabbath,” this piece is a masterwork of dramatic storytelling brimming with bold instrumentation, eerie effects, and orchestral virtuosity.
FULL PROGRAM:
Anna Clyne - This Midnight Hour
Franz Liszt - Totentanz (Dance of Death)
Spencer Myer, piano
Hector Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique
Tickets & More:
Single tickets to Opening Night: The Witching Hour are offered at three pricing levels for adults. Section A is $78, Section B is $53, and Section C is $28. Adult single tickets are subject to a $5 processing fee. Youth & Students with a valid ID are $11. Avoid the fees and become a subscriber.
