Santa Cruz County Symphony concert features Brahms' Fourth Symphony and Van Cliburn Gold Medalist, Jon Nakamatsu performing Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto.
The Santa Cruz County Symphony aims to dazzle audiences on Saturday, March 24, 2 pm, at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium and at a repeat matinee performance on Sunday, March 25, 2 pm at the Mello Center for the Performing Arts in Watsonville. 3 B's- the fourth concert of Maestro John Larry Granger's final season- features star pianist and local favorite, Jon Nakamatsu, and works by composers whose last names all begin with a B- Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms and Swedish composer, Franz Berwald. The non-musical highpoint of the weekend's concerts will be the announcement of the 5 candidates vying to be the new Maestro by conducting a concert in the Symphony's 2012/13 Season.
The concert opens with the Overture to Estrella de Soria, a Swedish opera by the romantic composer, Franz Berwald which premiered in 1862 in Stockholm. Although the opera and several of Berwald's other works were well received, and Berwald received praise from composer Carl Nielsen, he never obtained notoriety in his lifetime and instead had to rely on his work as an orthopedic surgeon and factory manager. His bittersweet Overture to Estrella de Soria showcases both his fiery passion and melodic lyricism.
Next, audiences are sure to be delighted by Jon Nakamatsu, who has consistently performed to packed houses in Santa Cruz County and worldwide. Jon originally came to notoriety by winning the gold medal at the 10th Annual Van Cliburn Competition, the world's premiere piano competition. Having worked with Maestro Granger on numerous occasions, this will be the last chance to see this dynamic duo work together. Nakamatsu will be performing Beethoven's intimate Piano Concerto No. 4, an originally overlooked work that is now essential concerto repertoire. The work is serenely poetic until its vigorous, almost rambunctious conclusion. An 1809 review called the concerto “most admirable, singular, artistic and complex Beethoven concerto ever."
The concert concludes with Johannes Brahms' majestic Fourth Symphony. Completed in 1885, this masterpiece is the last of his Symphonies and considered by many to be the greatest achievement of career. With this work, Brahms- typically a conservative composer- created an elegant fusion of innovation with tradition. The work becomes increasingly complex until end when it culminates in a final rush of energy. Learn more here