ASHLAND — The Ashland Symphony Orchestra presents “Back to Brahms” Saturday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Robert M. & Janet L. Archer Auditorium. Michael Repper will give a pre-concert talk at 6:50 p.m.
The ASO will perform a trio of pieces by Johannes Brahms: the Tragic and Academic Festival Overtures and Symphony No.4.
Both composed in 1880, the Academic Festival Overture came first as a thank you to the University of Breslau in Prussia for awarding Brahms an honorary doctorate.
The ASO will, however, start the concert with the dark and stormy Tragic Overture written as a counterpoint to the lighthearted Academic Festival Overture.
Tragische Ouvertüre, op.81 (Tragic Overture) is an example of Brahms not feeling the need to write music that tells a story. He wrote only two overtures, and this one explores sober emotions.
Brahms is famously quoted as saying, “One laughs, while the other cries.” Titled Akademische Festouvertüre, op.80, the actual translation is “overture in festive style,” rather than the English translation of “academic festival.”
Academic Festival Overture is one of his happier and more accessible compositions and is a medley of traditional German student drinking songs.
Brahms completed his epic and beloved fourth symphony in 1885. In Symphony No.4, op.98, E minor, “there are light moments, dark ones; dancing rhythms and solemn chorales; and colorful orchestration of almost every type that highlights every instrument in the orchestra.
“It’s a virtuoso demonstration of why Brahms stands in the highest ranks of composers—beauty, profundity, and technique wedded together seamlessly.” — William E. Runyan.
Individual tickets are on sale by visiting the website www.ashlandsymphony.org, calling 419-289-5115 or visiting the office located at 331 College Avenue, and at the door starting at 6:30 p.m.
Child and student tickets are free with the purchase of adult or senior tickets and discounted tickets are available for persons receiving EBT, SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid.