Forests, Fables, and Folklore

Name: Forests, Fables, and Folklore
Start: 2026-01-24T19:00:00-05:00
Location: Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College, Salisbury, NC 28144

Schedule

Sat, 24 Jan, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College, Salisbury, NC 28144 | Salisbury, NC

With a rich interplay of nature, mythology, and national identity, Forests, Fables, and Folklore, explores the evocative power of orchestral storytelling.
The concert opens with the prologue from Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, a work that exemplifies late Romantic lyricism and Wagnerian influence, setting the stage with its atmospheric depiction of the forest as both a place of enchantment and peril.
The program continues with two movements from Bedřich Smetana’s Má vlast: Šárka, a vivid tone poem depicting the legendary Czech heroine’s dramatic act of vengeance, and From Bohemia’s Forests and Meadows, a pastoral reflection on the natural beauty and folk traditions of Smetana’s homeland. These works integrate nationalistic themes with impressionistic orchestration, offering a musical portrayal of history and landscape.
The concert culminates with Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 8, a celebration of nature’s majesty and folklore. Filled with soaring themes and bohemian charm, the symphony weaves together the beauty of the countryside with melodies that echo the spirit of traditional tales and dances. This program captures the magic of forests and the stories they inspire, offering a concert of wonder and discovery.