Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Presents the Brahms Festival Tonight

Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra presents the Brahms Festival as the season finale of the 2013-2014 season. Join them for a night of distinguished pieces by Brahms tonight, April 12, 8pm at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor.

The festival opens with Brahms' Academic Festival Overture in C minor, Op. 80. Composed in the summer of 1880, Brahms wrote this piece as a musical "thank you" to the University of Breslau who had recently awarded him an honorary doctorate. The University thought it was in good manners to require a new composition for the honorary moment. Brahms spent a year writing the university a well-orchestrated overture that was light in nature.

Following this display of appreciation is composer Bright Sheng's Black Swan for Orchestra after Brahms' Intermezzo, Op. 118, No. 2. Originally a solo piano piece by Johannes Brahms, the 1893 original was orchestrated by Sheng in 2006. Ann Arborite Sheng teaches composition and music theory at the University of Michigan. Sheng is also a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Award.

Next in the program is Brahms' Violin and Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 102, "Double Concerto." This concerto, first premiering on October 18, 1887, features two instruments, the cello and the violin. It was written for Brahms' friend and cellist Robert Hausmann as well as his old, yet estranged friend, violinist Joseph Joachim. This concerto was a way for Brahms to reconcile that distanced friendship. Performed several times during its initial season, this concerto was the final work of Brahms for orchestra and requires two brilliant and equally matched soloists. The A2SO is pleased to welcome both David Requiro and Itamar Zorman to take the honors as soloists.

Itamar Zorman, violinist, is the winner of the 2011 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia among other competitions globally. Past engagements include concerts with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony, Russian State Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of South Bay, Las Cruces Symphony, and Fundacion Sinfonia in Santo Domingo. Mr. Zorman is currently a student of Christian Tetzlaff at the Kronberg Academy. He plays on a Pietro Guarneri violin from 1745.

"Brahms is my favorite composer. I hope to communicate this fascination and joy in my performance with Ann Arbor Symphony," declares Zorman on his upcoming performance.

David Requiro, cellist, is a winner of the 2008 Naumburg International Competition and has emerged as one of today's most promising young cellists. Mr. Requiro has soloed with the Tokyo Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, and with several orchestras from coast to coast. Currently, David is the Artist in Residence at the University of Puget Sound and he is a Guest Lecturer at the University of Michigan. He is also a member of the Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players in New York City. This is Mr. Requiro's second appearance with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.

Closing the season is the beloved Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68. From sketches to finishing touches, this symphony took approximately 21 years to publish according to Brahms. Symphony No. 1, scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani and strings, was conducted by Brahms' friend Felix Otto Dessoff on its premiere, November 4, 1876.

"I am so pleased to look back on this season with such fond memories of great music for our community. The season finale showcases not just Brahms, but also this outstanding orchestra, and our discerning and supportive community," stated Music Director Arie Lipsky.

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is pleased to have the Season Finale: Brahms Festival sponsored by Rebecca Horvath.

The concert will be broadcast live by WKAR Radio (90.5 FM). On Saturday, April 19 at 5 p.m. and on Sunday, April 20 at noon, the concert will be broadcast by WRCJ Radio (90.0 FM).

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The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is a premier regional orchestra offering live, symphonic music for audiences of diverse ages and classical music experiences. The A2SO touches the lives of over 76,000 people every year, from tiny tots to seasoned citizens in venues ranging from the Michigan Theater to Hill Auditorium, as well as schools in the five-county area including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Dexter District Libraries, and senior citizen centers. For concert or educational programming information, contact the A2SO by calling (734) 994-4801 or emailing emily@a2so.com.