Brahms Symphony No. 1

Brahms Symphony No. 1

Thursday, June 11, 2015

7:30 PM

Egmont Overture - Ludwig van Beethoven

In lieblicher Bläue for Violin and Orchestra (US Premiere) - Julian Anderson

Carolin Widmann, Violin

-Intermission-

Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Johannes Brahms

Un poco sostenuto - Allegro

Andante sostenuto

Un poco allegretto e grazioso

Adagio - Più andante - Allegro non troppo, ma con brio

Originally I wasn't planning on going to this performance, but I had a change in plans and I was unable to attend Pinchas Zukerman's performance. I was able to exchange that ticket for this one, as subscribers are allowed to have free exchanges. I have always been a fan of the Egmont Overture and the Brahms symphony, but I'm always skeptical of anything recent, and Anderson's work did nothing to dissuade me from my dislike of contemporary music, where I feel that the composers are so obsessed with following rules that the choose these rules over the music itself. The work began with the soloist offstage before the soloist emerges and begins playing from the side of the orchestra. The white noise continued, and the piece concluded with the soloist turning away from the audience. Interestingly, this performance was the first time I had heard the conductor speak before a Seattle Symphony performance (another no-no in my book). Barring another change in travel plans I'm hoping to avoid any more performances featuring anything contemporary.