Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90

UNTUXED: Attend an open rehearsal and experience a look behind the scenes of the WSO.

Saturday December 3, 2022 @ 12:30 pm

Johannes Brahms:
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90

Johannes Brahms was 50 years old when he composed his Symphony No. 3 in F major. He wrote this work with the motto Frei aber froh (“Free but happy”) F-A-F, alluding to the fact that he was single and would remain so throughout his lifetime. Brahms did have a number of infatuations and an especially close relationship with Clara Schumann – both before and after the death of her husband, composer Robert Schumann, at the age of 46.

The F-A-F motif is heard throughout the work starting immediately in the rising exclamation from the winds that opens the work. The second F is actually the first note of the principal theme, which reoccurs throughout the symphony.

A natural at the keyboard, Brahms started playing in public as a teenager in Hamburg’s waterfront pubs. His music combines the serious and playful, the intellectual and earthy in a way that reminded many of his contemporaries of Beethoven.

Join music director Daniel Raiskin as he leads the WSO in a rehearsal of this powerful Symphony and discover what it takes to prepare for a performance. Afterwards, the maestro will answer any questions you have about the work or the rehearsal process in a short Q&A.

PROGRAM NOTES

UNTUXED: A unique and casual way to experience the WSO all in one hour.

*Please note this is a working rehearsal. The orchestra may not perform the work the whole way through. The conductor may start and stop the orchestra and discuss things with the musicians.