Beethoven and Mozart
Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 4:00 pm
Monday, February 9, 2026, at 7:30 pm

Samuel Lee, guest conductor and viola
Brian Allen, violin

Louise Farrenc Overture No. 2, Op. 24, E-flat Major
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sinfonia concertante, K.364, E-flat Major
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 4, Op. 60, B-flat Major

Experience a night of classical brilliance led by one of the most exciting new voices on the podium today—Samuel Lee, winner of the 2024 Malko Conducting Competition in Denmark. Known for his expressive musicianship and commanding presence, Lee leads a vibrant program that spans elegance, innovation, and joy.

The evening opens with Louise Farrenc’s Overture No. 2 in E-flat Major, a spirited and lyrical work by one of the earliest female composers to gain international recognition. A French Romantic with a style reminiscent of Mendelssohn and Schubert, Farrenc infuses her music with a distinctive joie de vivre and expressive charm.

Next, the spotlight turns to Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat Major, K. 364, a masterpiece of dialogue between violin and viola. In a rare treat, Samuel Lee will not only conduct—but also perform the viola solo—alongside Brian Allen, HHSO’s Principal Second Violinist. A gifted performer and teacher, Allen studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the University of Michigan, regularly performs with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and serves on faculty at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

The program closes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, a radiant and often underrated gem. Full of playful energy, sudden contrasts, and rhythmic invention, this symphony is Beethoven at his most joyful and spontaneous.