October 28, 2011  to October 29, 2011

Paganini Rhapsody
8 p.m., Majestic Theatre

Second concert in the Masterclassics series
First concert in the Applause series

Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Bernd Glemser, piano

Pärt Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten
Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43
Liszt Totentanz, S.126
Schumann Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op.61

(program notes)

Rachmaninoff took an unassuming fragment by Paganini and transformed it into one of the most memorable melodies of the romantic era. Rachmaninoff’s 24 variations showcase a pianist’s virtuosity as well as all the wit, charm and romance the composer could muster. Bernd Glemser has won prizes in 17 international piano competitions and specializes in the virtuoso repertoire of Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Busoni. His recording of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 was used in the movie Spiderman 3.

Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing has made a special study of the symphonies of Schumann, recording all of them in Australia. Schumann is drawn to extreme contrasts—from the opening fanfare, to the expressive and intimate adagio, to the perpetual motion in the scherzo and the triumphant finale, Schumann is driven to construct a romantic symphony out of the models created first by Beethoven.

Arvo Pärt’s music often religious and based on religious texts. His Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten is, in the words of Dharmacari Jayarava, “is not only profoundly beautiful, it is beautifully profound.” Pärt’s music has often been called “transcendent” and is influenced by Gregorian Chant and minimalism.