Surprise Symphonies

By Frank Byrne,

Sam Wisman

Published June 8, 2021 at 10:01 AM CDT

We have two very different symphonies this week: an Italian gem from 1800 by cello prodigy Luigi Boccherini and a powerful 21st century portrait by American composer Jonathan Leshnoff of the chaos and homesickness of American soldiers in World War I. Leshnoff’s Symphony No. 3 incorporates texts from solders’ letters to tell the story of the great war’s impact on their lives.

Compositions and Recordings

Procession of the Nobles by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Erich Kunzel and The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

Symphony No. 3
by Jonathan Leshnoff
Michael Stern and The Kansas City Symphony

Symphony No. 17 in C minor Op. 41
by Luigi Boccherini
Michael Erxleben and The New Berlin Chamber Orchestra

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Frank Byrne

Frank Byrne is the host of From the Archives on 91.9 Classical KC.

Sam Wisman

Sam Wisman is a Senior Producer for 91.9 Classical KC and a backup announcer for KCUR 89.3. Email him at samwisman@classicalkc.org.