This Saturday, David Carrillo, GVO’s conductor and artistic director, leads the Golden Valley Orchestra (GVO) in a program of power, elegance and triumph.
The centerpiece of the program is the Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major, performed by concertmaster Will Samorey, a Twin Cities-based violinist and teacher. Alongside Brahms’ legendary work, the program features Beethoven’s dramatic Coriolan Overture and Fauré’s delicate and reflective Pavane.
Winter Concert: Samorey Plays Brahms takes place at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Golden Valley Lutheran Church, located at 5501 Glenwood Avenue in Golden Valley, MN.
Admission is $20, free for those ages 18 and under. Buy tickets in advance or purchase at the door. To learn more about the program, read on - and arrive early for Carrillo’s pre-concert talk at 2:35 p.m.
Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major: A Legendary Challenge for Violinists
When the one and only violin concerto of Johannes Brahms premiered in 1879, it was initially deemed “unplayable.” Like many masterpieces, it was ahead of its time — pushing the virtuosos of the era to new technical heights and challenging audiences with its profound emotional depths.
"Brahms’ concerto is not just music; it’s an odyssey,” says Carrillo. It challenges the soloist at every turn. Through suffering, there is beauty. Brahms understood that. This concerto forces you to confront hardship, and only then does it reveal moments of profound lyrical beauty."
Fauré’s Pavane
Opening the program is Fauré’s Pavane, a brief orchestral work that brings an elegant and pensive contrast to Beethoven’s fiery overture and Brahms’ emotional depths.
"Fauré’s Pavane is like a deep breath before the storm of Beethoven and the mountain of Brahms,” Carrillo says. “It’s graceful, but there’s an underlying melancholy that makes it fit perfectly with the program."
Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture
Second on the program is Beethoven’s dramatic, tension-filled overture, written for the 1804 tragic play based on the downfall of the Roman general Coriolanus.
The music reflects his inner conflict — a driving, dark theme representing his call to war contrasted with a tender, plaintive melody depicting his mother’s pleas for peace.
"This overture doesn’t hold back," Carrillo explains. "You hear the battle between Coriolanus' aggression and his mother’s desperate pleas. It’s an intense and emotional way to start the concert and transition into the Brahms."
A Defining Moment for the GVO
This Winter Concert marks a significant milestone for the GVO. Three years ago, Carrillo had stepped up to its podium as guest conductor, a time when the orchestra was in a very different position. Like many small nonprofit groups, the GVO and its musicians were recovering from the devastating impact of COVID-19.
That winter concert became a turning point. It served as an audition for Carrillo, who went on to become appointed as Conductor and Music Director for the 2022-23 season. Meanwhile, Samorey, then a guest soloist performing The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto, would soon be appointed Concertmaster of the GVO.
"When Will and I first performed with GVO, it was a very different group," Carrillo recalls. "But there was great potential, and through dedication and collaboration between us and the old and new members of the orchestra, we have built something truly special. The energy here is incredible.”
Under their leadership, GVO’s artistry flourished, and its membership grew. Today, the orchestra boasts more than 60 members, up from the chamber size it was at the 2022 performance - a testament to its transformation. Saturday’s concert marks a milestone of the GVO’s evolution and progress.
About the Instrument: “The Falcon”
Samorey will be performing on Jennifer Becker Violin No. 34 “The Falcon,” the very instrument he debuted as a soloist with the GVO in 2022.
"It’s an incredible instrument with a voice all its own," Carrillo says.
Crafted by master luthier and longtime GVO cellist and board member Jennifer Becker, its scroll features hand-carved feathers in tribute to its namesake.
“Owning and playing ‘the falcon’ over these past few years has been a true blessing,” Samorey says. “The technical and musical aspects of my performances have soared, which allows me to present my most polished and soulful playing yet."
