REFORM: Music Through Struggle and Hope

Oct 1

Music has always been a way to express and reflect on the strife, struggles, and longings people carry. Throughout history, composers have created works that echo the upheavals of their world. In times of tension and uncertainty, beauty can emerge through the process of change. That spirit is at the heart of our first concert of the season: REFORM.

This program gathers works born of upheaval and transformation, music that gives voice to hope, resilience, and renewal.

Featured Works

Robert Schumann – Manfred Overture
Inspired by Lord Byron’s dramatic poem, Schumann’s overture is less about political revolution and more about an inner one. The Byronic hero Manfred seeks release from the torment of guilt that remains unnamed in the story. Stormy, intense, and deeply human, it captures the struggle of breaking free from constraint — a personal reform that resonates alongside the broader movements for change.
Felix Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 5, Reformation
Written to mark the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony weaves together faith, history, and resilience. From its solemn chorales to the triumphant use of ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God’ in the work’s finale, this piece celebrates the enduring power of music to honor tradition and inspire renewal.
Tor Aulin – Mäster Olof Suite
Inspired by August Strindberg’s historical play Master Olof, a story based on the life and struggle of Olaus Petri, a key Swedish Reformer, Aulin’s suite captures political and personal conflict with lyrical intensity and dramatic energy. Its evocative themes highlight struggle and resolution, reflecting both human resilience and the timeless power of art to explore societal change.

Together, these works reflect the ways music can carry us through unrest and transformation. They remind us that even in times of struggle, art has the power to reveal beauty, resilience, and the possibility of renewal.