Longing In Exile: Centerstage with Harmony from Discord

Kurt Weill | Symphony No. 2 “Fantaisie symphonique” (30’) IntermissionSergei Rachmaninoff | Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 (33’) Running time with intermission is 84 minutes Awaken your senses at the premier of the BSO’s new Steinway piano. Fantaisie Symphonique, a dynamic and avant-garde work, is known for being a masterpiece of orchestral Expressionism. The languid, sobbing motifs of Sergei Rachmaninoff transform into a musical revolution of joy under the powerful artistry of Angel Stanislav Wang. Tickets start at just $15. Check out our ticket discounts page for information on FREE Orchestra for All tickets. German-American composer Kurt Weill (1900–1950) revolutionized musical theater by blending avant-garde, cabaret, and popular styles to create social commentary. After settling in New York in 1935, Weill refused to speak German again (except to his parents) and insisted on being identified as an American composer rather than a German émigré. This Symphony is a commission from the Princesse de Polignac, Winnaretta Singer, who was heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune. Standing 6'6", Rachmaninoff was dubbed a “six-foot scowl,” due to his serious demeanor and rare smiles in photographs. Soloist Angel is also tall at 6’7” but is more akin to Jane Austin’s Mr. Charles Bingley than the scowling Mr. Darcy. Rachmaninoff’s ability to play incredibly complex chords and rapid passages was aided by his unusually large hands, with a reach of 12-13 notes on a piano. After the 1917 Russian Revolution, Rachmaninoff fled Russia with his family on an open sled, and eventually settled in the U. S.. He spent the rest of his life here but never felt fully at home, claiming that by losing his country, he “lost himself.” WATCH The theme from the second movement of the Piano Concerto is famously used as the melody for Eric Carmen’s “All By Myself”. WATCH The theme was also used in “Full Moon and Empty Arms” recorded by young Frank Sinatra. WATCH Weill composed Mack the Knife. ART HISTORY Kurt Weill Timeline Through a rich combination of image, sound and text, the Timeline presents in five segments an illustrated sequence of significant moments in Kurt Weill's life and career. ART HISTORY ExpressionismGabriele Münter, Staffelsee in Autumn, 1923 A style that made an impact in the arts in the 1920s, particularly in Germany. Expressionists abandoned realistic, accurate representations in favor of exaggerations and distortions of line and color that were intended to carry far greater emotional impact. LISTEN To Yaniv's Longing In Exile YouTube Playlist READ BSO Book Club - Goodbye Russia MEET US AT THE MOVIES Join us at the Pickford Film Center (more information coming soon) Join us for an engaging and informative Pre-Concert Talk with Dr. McKenna Milici. Now taking place in the Main Theatre, Pre-Concert Talks will take place at 2:00PM from the Main Stage. Doors open at 1:45PM. These talks are free for ticket-holders Have a little one in your life that loves music? Join us for Classical Kids at our dress rehearsals. Learn more and sign up here. First time at the Symphony? Check out our Concert FAQs to find out more about how we share the joy of LIVE music. *All programs subject to change