In a sense, tonight's concert by the JSO is a character study in independence of thought. Each of the featured composers was a unique musical genius who was somewhat removed from the mainstream developments of his own time. As others led the way that many would follow these composers followed their own lights, and the repertoire was enriched by their individuality and originality.

Another common thread is the idea of variation. Simply put, variation is repeating a musical passage with alterations. At some level, variation is present in almost every piece of music, but in works like the Rachmaninov Rhapsody and the Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis it becomes the most prominent single feature of the musical form. Variation may consist of subtle modifications or dramatic transformations. Throughout the centuries composers have found writing "variations" a very satisfying approach, since the unifying presence of the central theme can bind together many varying moods and emotions without the music seeming contradictory or chaotic.

Irish Tune from County Derry - Grainger

Rhapsody on a Theme of Pagannini - Rachmaninov

Piano Concerto #1 - Mendelssohn

Symphonic Metamorphosis - Hindemith