Audio Recordings

Joseph Joachim’s Hamlet Overture

Today we’re offering two Audio Flashbacks of works that were inspired by the plays of Shakespeare. Joseph Joachim—who was one of the leading violinists of his day, a favorite of Brahms—composed his Hamlet Overture at age 21, and it premiered 167 years ago this month. Listen for Hamlet’s inner turmoil, indecisive and mysterious, reflected in the music. We performed this piece two years ago under the baton of Leon Botstein at the Fisher Center at Bard. You can read the concert notes, written by former TŌN horn player Ethan Brozka, by clicking here.