Romantic Currents
Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 1:30 PM
Chase Morrison Conducting
Scottish Rite Temple
463 Paseo De Peralta
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Admission is free and donations are appreciated.
Parking available at the venue
Join us for an afternoon of contrast and beauty, as Sibelius’s intimate Suite Mignonne, Mozart’s darkly expressive piano concerto, and Brahms’s radiant serenade reveal the emotional depth, pastoral charm, and lyrical warmth of three great masters—each heard at a distinct and captivating moment in their musical journeys.
Suite Mignonne, Op. 98a
Jean Sibelius
Composed in 1921 for two flutes and string orchestra, Sibelius’s Suite mignonne reveals a gentle, pastoral side of the Finnish master—one shaped by his lifelong attunement to the natural world. In three concise movements, the suite evokes the quiet hesitations, quick flutters, and airy grace of the birds and landscapes that surrounded Sibelius at his home, Ainola. The music unfolds with delicate charm: a softly glimmering opening scene, a playful and lightly stepping polka, and a spirited finale that seems to lift into flight. Far from the grandeur of his symphonies, Suite mignonne offers a refreshing glimpse of Sibelius in miniature, where elegance, clarity, and a keen sensitivity to nature create a world as intimate as it is enchanting.
Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
featuring Julian Chen, piano
Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor is one of his most profound and emotionally charged works. Composed in 1786, the concerto stands apart for its dramatic intensity, complex textures, and somber tone. From the stormy orchestral opening to the delicate interplay between soloist and ensemble, the music explores themes of tension, reflection, and resolution. Pianist Julian Chen joins the Santa Fe Community Orchestra in interpreting this masterwork, bringing both technical finesse and emotional insight to one of Mozart's most compelling creations.
Serenade No. 1 in D major, Op. 11
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms Brahms' Serenade No. 1 offers a joyful glimpse into the young composer's orchestral voice. Written in his mid-twenties, this expansive, six-movement work brims with charm, vitality, and lyrical invention. Drawing inspiration from the serenade tradition, Brahms infuses the piece with dance rhythms, graceful melodies, and warm harmonies. Though lighter in tone than his later symphonies, the Serenade displays the craftsmanship and emotional warmth that would define Brahms' mature style.