"The first part of the 20th Century was one of the richest and most exciting eras in all of Western music, with composers reacting and responding to a successful aesthetic which had reached saturation point (i.e., the opulent orchestral language of the late Romantics).  Written within only a few years of each other, Sibelius' and Webern's creations here show just how differently beautiful works of art can be expressed in the hands of great and sensitive composers, where the prevailing techniques and mode of expression seem to have been shattered in the pursuit of a new voice.  Sibelius' 5th Symphony is also programmed as part of our ongoing exploration of his symphonic development.  In his own way, too, Beethoven can be regarded as an artist who seemed to 'tear up the rules' in his need to express himself fully.  His final piano concerto, No. 5, will be played by the eminent Finnish pianist, Matti Raekallio." - Christopher Zimmerman

Saturday, March 19, 2011
Christopher Zimmerman, Conductor
Concert at 8:00 p.m., Pre-Performance Lecture at 7:00 p.m.
George Mason University's Center for the Arts (Directions)

WEBERN: Six pieces for Orchestra
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5
Matti Raekallio, piano
SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 5