BRATTLEBORO — The Windham Orchestra spotlights two musical geniuses in a special concert Sunday, April 8.
Two profoundly different works - Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15, by Brahms and Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony (Symphony No. 6) - are on the program at the 3 p.m. concert at the Latchis Theatre.
Brahms' work opens the concert, with Windham Orchestra Musical Director Hugh Keelan at the piano, and Jessie Pierpont as guest conductor. Keelan describes the Piano Concerto as a work conjuring up “a single man staring down the universe, a solo protagonist, incredibly sure of himself.”
It is a dramatic, powerful work, says Keelan, who points out in a news release that Brahms and his contemporaries were creating music in the colossal shadow cast by Beethoven.
He notes, in fact, that Brahms' First Symphony is often referred to as “Beethoven's 10th.”
Yet Brahms didn't ignore the master's influence, but acknowledged it (he reportedly had a marble bust of Beethoven looking down on the spot where he composed), and went on to create timeless works of his own.
The second piece performed, Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, is as gentle as Brahms' work is powerful, and will take the audience on what Keelan calls “an emotional journey, to a profound, pastoral calm.” He adds, “It is an absolutely extraordinary work, not like anything else Beethoven created.”