Elgin Symphony brings German classics to the stage

Chicago Tribune

Chicago, IL

It’ll seem like a reunion of German composers from the Romantic era when the Elgin Symphony Orchestra takes stage for its “Brahms Symphony No. 2″ Concert at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and 3 p.m. Jan. 9, 2022, at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

As told by the title, the concert features Johannes Brahms’ second symphony, which was penned in 1877.

“Brahms’ ‘Symphony No. 2′ is one of the greatest masterpieces of classical music and one of the defining works of the Romantic era,” said guest conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya. “Musically and harmonically, it’s highly sophisticated writing — the composer waited until his 40s to write a symphony, despite the success of his other work.”

The program also showcases works by two other German composers of the same period: Richard Wagner’s 1843 overture to “The Flying Dutchman” (“Der Fliegende Hollander”) and Clara Schumann’s 1835 “Piano Concerto in A minor.”

“The Schumann/Brahms camp was at odds with the Wagnerites during this time, fighting for what kind of music would define this era in Germany,” she explained. “The overture to ‘Der Fliegende Hollander’ is a great example of the difference between the two styles — Wagner’s music is much more sensual, focusing on broad emotional sweeps, exceptionally long phrases and bombastic contrasts.”

But there are some similarities between Brahms and Wagner.

“You also hear the influence of Beethoven in both composers’ music — their dramatic sensibility, the richness of their orchestral writing and their expansion of the possibilities of tonal harmony,” Yankovskaya said.

Schumann’s piano concerto adds another layer to the mix.

“It is difficult to believe that Clara wrote this brilliant concerto when she had just barely become a teenager,” Yankovskaya said. “The concise work contains sophisticated writing, with moving lines, strong conceptual and harmonic ideas, and beautiful writing for both piano and orchestra — if only we could have more of her work available to us today.”

Yankovskaya is clearly a fan.

“I’ve been in love with Clara Schumann’s piano concerto since I was a teenage pianist myself and have always wanted to conduct it,” Yankovskaya said. “I’m so thrilled to have an opportunity to do so here.”

Guest pianist Schaghajegh Nosrati will tackle the concerto.

“Schaghajegh Nosrati is a world-class artist who plays with immense energy, nuance and color,” Yankovskaya said. “I am so thrilled to collaborate with her on this beautiful concerto.”

All three works in the lineup are challenging in their own right.

“This is a difficult program for the orchestra, requiring a great deal of nuance in the works by both Brahms and Schumann, as well as excellent technical skill,” Yankovskaya said.

“Wagner also requires both players and conductor to have a very strong sense of long line and phrase; Brahms’ music also tends to place exceptional demands on orchestral players to be aware not only of their own part but also the overall architecture of the orchestral writing.”

In preconcert chats for the audience, Yankovskaya will share some of the history behind these pieces as well as moments to listen for carefully. The chats take place one hour before each concert at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

“I hope audience members come away inspired by this music and that they have an opportunity to think about the ingenious minds that created this moving, sophisticated art — three people who shaped the height of the era that has since come to define orchestral music,” she said.