Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Perform All-Brahms Concert Tonight

Chattanooga, TN - The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera continues its Barnett & Company Masterworks Series with an all Brahms concert tonight, October 22.

Opening the concert is Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Haydn. Brahms composed the work on a theme entitled "Chorale St. Antoni" found in a wind ensemble composition. At the time Brahms discovered it, the wind ensemble piece carried an attribution to the composer Joseph Haydn. Brahms titled his own composition accordingly, crediting Haydn for the theme, but publishers in the early nineteenth century often attached the names of famous composers to works by unknown or lesser known composers in order to move inventory. Subsequent research has concluded that the wind piece Brahms used as a source does not fit Haydn's style. Today the wind ensemble piece remains without clear attribution. The situation has led to Brahms's piece being referred to today in recordings and concert programs as the St. Anthony Variations as well as its original title.

Highlighting the concert is Brahms' German Requiem, written to comfort the living, not for the souls of the dead. This masterpiece was immediately recognized by critics as one of exceptional vision as it focuses on faith in the resurrection rather than fear of the Day of Judgement, as a typical Requiem might. CSO musicians will be joined by the CSO Chorus, directed by Darrin Hassevoort, as well as the UTC Chamber Singers and Chattanooga Singers,

led by Kevin Ford. The two soloists for the work are baritone Robert Barefield and soprano Carole Fitzpatrick.

NPR's Performance Today® host Fred Child will be a special concert guest, welcoming the audience at the top of the performance.

Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.chattanoogasymphony.org, by calling 423.267.8583, or in person at 701 Broad Street in the Tivoli Center office building. Student tickets are available for $15 with a valid student ID, and kids 17 and under get in free with a paid adult.

Barnett & Company Masterworks Series

BRAHMS REQUIEM

Thursday, October 22, 2015 7:30pm
Tivoli Theatre

Kayoko Dan, conductor
Carole Fitzpatrick, soprano
Robert Barefield, baritone
CSO Chorus, Darrin Hassevoort, director
UTC Chamber Singers and Chattanooga Singers, Kevin Ford, director

About Us

The mission of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera is to inspire, engage, and enrich the greater Chattanooga community through music and music education. The 2015/16 season marks 83 seasons for the CSO, which played its first concert on November 5, 1933. The CSO, conducted by Music Director Kayoko Dan, consists of top players from the Chattanooga area as well as from across the southern region. The CSO performs a full season of Masterworks, Pops, Chamber, and Volkswagen Series concerts from September through May, as well as a variety of community, education, and engagement events throughout the year.