The Hamilton College Orchestra, led by Heather Buchman, will inaugurate a new concert format titled Brainstorm!, on Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m. in Wellin Hall. This concert will explore the turbulent Sturm und Drang/Storm and Stress style developed by Classical composers Haydn and Mozart, and highlighted in the movie Amadeus.
The Sturm und Drang works of Haydn and Mozart generally use minor keys, extreme dynamic contrasts, irregular phrases, sudden stops, and driving rhythmic figures to create a sense of restlessness, anxiety, and imbalance. In these works dating from the 1770's and 1780's Haydn and Mozart actually anticipated some musical developments of the Romantic Period several decades later.
Using musical examples played by the Hamilton College Orchestra, Buchman will converse with the audience about how these composers of the Classical Era created this highly dramatic style, and will trace its progression to Beethoven's cathartic 5th Symphony.
This concert is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to attend with children. For more information call the box office at 859-4331.
