Programs that speak

A revelatory program that introduced audiences and musicians alike to the astounding, often forgotten works of Vanhal, Cannabich, Fils, Richter, and others.

A compelling journey from the world of the Galant style to the emotional depths of the Grotesque and the turbulent passion of Sturm und Drang

This program presents a rare and intimate perspective on a monumental work: Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony arranged for nine wind instruments. Conductor Rafael Palacios leads this unique version—a project born from his own scholarly reconstruction of the score—offering audiences a chance to experience the symphony’s rhythmic propulsion and famous Allegretto through the transparent, colorful lens of a Harmoniemusik ensemble.

This "Alma Barroca" program traces the evolution of expression from the High Baroque to the precipice of Romanticism, featuring Händel's opulent Concerto Grosso, C.P.E. Bach’s emotionally turbulent Flute Concerto with principal flutist Lenka Smolcakova, and Boccherini’s infernal "La Casa del Diablo" symphony. Conductor Rafael Palacios guides this journey through the unfolding drama of 18th-century style, from the stately grandeur of the concerto grosso to the Sturm und Drang intensity that would come to define the Classical era’s expressive core.

This program ventures into the dramatic and expressive undercurrents of the Classical era, featuring works by Haydn and his esteemed, yet often overshadowed, contemporaries Salieri and Vanhal. From the darkly dramatic Overture to Salieri’s Les Danaïdes and Vanhal’s Sturm-und-Drang-infused Symphony in D minor, to the folk-like and spirited finale of Haydn’s "L'Ours," conductor Rafael Palacios leads a journey into the emotional depth and rhetorical power of 18th-century music.

A program, conducted by Dr. Rafael Palacios, presents a nuanced exploration of the 18th century, contrasting the brilliant heights of the Classical style with the profound emotional depths of the Sturm und Drang movement.

This program presents Haydn as a chronicler of the Enlightenment, framing his music within the era’s social and intellectual shifts. It features three of his works to explore themes of drama, innovation, and humor, with the rarely heard Symphony No. 78 serving as a compelling centerpiece for historically informed interpretation.