From Berks Sinfonietta
Join Berks Sinfonietta for “Sturm und Drang” on Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Blvd., Wyomissing, PA. Berks County’s homegrown orchestra explores the ‘storm & stress’ of Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 and other classical works.
The program showcases composers who pushed the boundaries of form and expression, embracing darker tonalities, dramatic gestures, and a spirit of artistic rebellion. The evening offers audiences a rare opportunity to come together and hear masterpieces capturing a transformative moment in musical and literary history that occurred during the time of the American Revolution.
“I am continuously fascinated by ‘Sturm und Drang’ music,” stated Artistic Director David McConnell. “The shift to music of individual subjectivity and emotional extremes of emotion paved the way for the music of Beethoven, Mahler, and film scores. This concert gives us a chance to explore why we listen the way we do today.”
Program highlights
The concert features a lineup of works that attempt to reimagine the “Sturm und Drang” aesthetic, including:
- Franz Joseph Haydn — Symphony No. 44 in E Minor, “Mourning”
- Johann Baptist Vanhal — Sinfonia in A Minor
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Adagio and Fugue
- Christoph Willibald Gluck — Selections from “Don Juan”
These pieces offer a vivid portrait of a period when composers embraced emotional extremes and bold musical experimentation in opposition to Enlightenment-era rationality.
About Berks Sinfonietta
Berks Sinfonietta is a chamber orchestra committed to presenting innovative, inclusive, and artistically compelling performances. Bringing together homegrown musicians of all ages — professionals, educators, students, and dedicated amateurs — the ensemble reimagines repertoire from the Baroque era to today, with a special emphasis on works by women, composers of color, and historically underrepresented voices. Through its concerts and educational outreach, Berks Sinfonietta enriches the cultural life of Berks County and brings people together to foster a deeper appreciation of the transformative power of music.
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