Opening Night with James Ehnes

Opening the 75^th anniversary season is the incredibly talented James Ehnes. The multiple award-winning violinist makes his highly anticipated return to the WSO performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. This work represents a supreme challenge for violinists. Far from being a virtuoso display piece, Beethoven composed this work like a chamber piece on a large scale, giving the soloist no place to hide.

A lukewarm reception at the concerto’s premiere in 1806 led to it being forgotten until Joseph Joachim resurrected it in the 1850s and restored to its rightful position as one of the greatest and most popular concertos for the instrument.

Gustav Mahler’s music isn’t just notes, it’s an all-encompassing world that inspires us to search for deeper meaning and inner truths. While the Adagietto is the most famous movement of his Symphony No. 5, there is so much more Mahler wanted us to hear – and feel.

Valentin Silvestrov: Prayer for Ukraine
Ludwig van Beethoven: Concerto in D major for Violin & Orchestra, Op. 61
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor

PROGRAM NOTES

Consider coming to the performance early and join us for a pre-concert chat from the stage at 6:45 pm.