Works by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Bruch, and Copland

Sunday, February 5, 7:30 p.m.

Copland:  "Hoedown," from the ballet Rodeo
Tchaikovsky:  Rococo variations for cello and orchestra
Bruch:  Kol Nidrei
   Armand Ksajikian, cello soloist
Brahms, Symphony No. 1

Joel B. Lish, Director and Conductor

Admission is free; open seating.

COVID POLICY

The Palisades Symphony is committed to protecting the safety of our audience and performers, so we are requiring the following:

  • Attendees must present proof of vaccination, which will be checked at the entrance.
  • Attendees must also wear a protective mask when indoors while attending the concert.

Palisades Lutheran Church
15905 Sunset Blvd. (corner of El Medio)
Pacific Palisades,  California

Directions


The program

The outstanding cellist Armand Ksajikian has performed with us before to great acclaim, and we are looking forward to his return. This time, we are favored with two works. Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations (1877) is a virtuoso showpiece based on a theme that nostalgically recalls the 18th century. The Bruch Kol Nidrei (1880) is a very different work, slow, solemn and emotionally warm. It incorporates the melody of the Jewish prayer recited at Yom Kippur.

The second half of the program features Brahms's First Symphony (1876). This work took the composer 20 years to complete. He was worried because everyone said he was the "next Beethoven," a burden that was hard to bear. Eventually Brahms took the bull by the horns, writing a work that deliberately echoes Beethoven's two most famous symphonies. Just as in Beethoven's Fifth, the Brahms First begins with a powerful and stormy first movement in C minor, and ends with a thrilling coda in C major in faster tempo. And as in Beethoven's Ninth, the last movement of the Brahms First is anchored with an inspirational tune in foursquare rhythm. This is an amazing work and we have really enjoyed rehearsing it.

Our program will open with the lively "Hoedown" movement from Aaron Copland's ballet Rodeo.  You will hear the twang of unfingered open strings as we imitate the fiddlers at a barn dance.