Under the baton of Conductor Andrew Grams, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra will dive into the depths of “Rachmaninoff & Brahms” at 7:30 p.m. April 1 and 2:30 p.m. April 2 at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.
“It’s familiar music, but the challenge is to still keep it fresh,” Grams said.
The program includes Johannes Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4” and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 3.”
“I think that they complement each other by the dark intensity and energy level that they share,” Grams said. “They don’t share much in terms of composition school or history, but they have the same energy.”
Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4,” which premiered in 1885, is an example of absolute or abstract music, as Grams explained, “a piece of music that has no story.” It’s not about anything in particular.
While the mention of Brahms usually conjures a sense of sweetness and lullabies, his fourth and final symphonyis different.
“It is one of the more turbulent works that he wrote,” Grams said.
Audience members can learn more about “Symphony No. 4” in a 90-minute program called “Inside the Music with Andrew Grams” set for 8 p.m. March 31 at the Hemmens. After the discussion and intermission, the orchestra will perform the entire work. Tickets are $30.
“I’m going to address the question of how you write a symphony and what makes a symphony great,” Grams said. “Pulling the curtain back to show how the magic trick is done.
“What’s amazing about all the great symphonies is that they are all made up of building blocks that are small and seemingly insignificant,” Grams said. “What makes the Brahms fourth symphony so great? Because it shows an absolutely masterful composition technique.”
The second half of the concert showcases guest pianist Natasha Paremski performing Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 3,” which was written in 1909 and is considered one of the most technically challenging piano concertos in classical music.
“Rachmaninoff piano concertos are favorites everywhere,” Grams said. “Rachmaninoff wrote music like a big warm blanket — it’s very fiery — there’s a burning intensity and then the warmth.”
After Paremski performed with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in 2014 and received a positive response, Grams promised the audience she’d be invited back.
“Unlike the dark intensity of the music, she is wonderfully charming and has such a positive aura around her,” Grams said. “She’s a brilliant pianist, and she connects with audiences very easily.”
Jen Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Courier-News.
‘Rachmaninoff & Brahms’
When: 7:30 p.m. April 1 and 2:30 p.m. April 2
Where: Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin
Tickets: $10-$65
Information: 847-888-4000; www.elginsymphony.org
