Brahms was incredibly hard on himself. Plus, he couldn’t seem to shake the shadow of Beethoven and his incredible success. That’s why Brahms struggled for more than 14 years to complete his first symphony, which premiered when he was 43 years old. It was worth the wait –widely considered to be one of the most significant symphonies ever written. In contrast, Chopin composed his Piano Concerto No. 2 when he was just 19, yet delivered some of his most heartfelt melodies. Starting off the concert is Wagner’s Flying Dutchman Overture, which perfectly captures the turmoil of a roiling ocean and the fear of the travelers. These program notes include music excerpts.
Masterworks 4 of the 23/24 Season
Performances: Nov. 17-19, 2023