Farkhad conducts Tchaikovsky
A battle with fate and destiny, Pyotr Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony presents a passionate thrill ride of emotions for the audience. With suave delight, Beethoven's Second Piano Concerto balances the evening and features pianist Chaeyoung Park.
“[Park's] strengths are ... a refined ear for piano color, excellent use of pedaling to create sophisticated mixes of sound, total concentration, rock-steady technical means, and not a single note played without thought and feeling, while remaining spontaneous."
—New York Concert Review, Inc.
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The Artists
Listen and Learn
Program notes:
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Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino is one of the most electrifying orchestral preludes in the operatic repertoire. Composed in 1862 for his opera La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny), the overture encapsulates the drama, fate, and tragedy that run throughout the opera’s plot. In typical Verdi fashion, the music is grand, emotional, and full of contrast, foreshadowing the themes of love, revenge, and the inescapable hand of destiny that drive the opera.
The overture begins with an unforgettable three-note motif in the brass, often referred to as the “fate motif,” symbolizing the relentless power of destiny. This dramatic opening gives way to a series of contrasting sections: sweeping lyrical melodies, urgent rhythmic passages, and moments of quiet reflection. Verdi masterfully weaves these themes together, creating a tightly knit musical narrative that stands on its own, even apart from the opera. The overture’s energy builds toward an exhilarating conclusion, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats.
The Overture to La forza del destino remains a favorite among concert audiences, admired for its vibrant orchestration, powerful themes, and the way it captures the essence of Verdi’s operatic genius in a single piece.
Three things to listen for:
The dramatic “fate motif” in the brass, signaling the central theme of destiny.
The sweeping, lyrical string melodies that provide contrast to the overture’s intensity.
The energetic closing section, where Verdi accelerates toward a thrilling climax. here
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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Although Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 was published after his Piano Concerto No. 1, it was actually composed first, between 1787 and 1789. This concerto reveals a young Beethoven still very much under the influence of Mozart, but already beginning to assert his own voice. The Piano Concerto No. 2 brims with classical elegance, yet there are flashes of the boldness and dramatic power that would come to define Beethoven’s later works.
The first movement begins with a light and graceful orchestral introduction, setting the stage for the soloist’s entrance. Beethoven introduces lively, playful themes that highlight his gift for melody and the piano’s expressive capabilities. The second movement, a beautiful Adagio, shifts to a more introspective mood, allowing the soloist to shine with lyrical and delicate phrasing. The final movement, a spirited Rondo, brings the concerto to a joyful and energetic close, with sparkling piano passages that showcase the soloist’s virtuosity.
This concerto, though less fiery than some of Beethoven’s later works, remains a favorite for its charm, clarity, and youthful exuberance. It not only dazzles but also offers a glimpse of the bold, inventive composer Beethoven was destined to become.
Three things to listen for:
The playful interplay between piano and orchestra, especially in the lighthearted first movement.
The lyrical beauty of the Adagio movement, with its delicate phrasing and emotional depth.
The lively, sparkling piano lines in the final Rondo, full of joy and virtuosic flair.
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Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 is a deeply personal work, composed during a turbulent period in the composer’s life. Written between 1877 and 1878, it was created alongside Tchaikovsky’s ill-fated marriage to Antonina Milyukova and his emotionally intense relationship with his patron, Nadezhda von Meck. The symphony explores the theme of fate—a concept that Tchaikovsky described as “that fateful power which prevents the impulse toward happiness from reaching its goal.” This battle against fate is at the heart of the symphony, making it one of Tchaikovsky’s most dramatic and emotionally charged works.
The symphony begins with a powerful brass fanfare that represents the inescapable force of fate. This fanfare returns throughout the work, a reminder of the looming presence of destiny. The first movement is intense and full of struggle, with moments of lyricism woven into its dramatic fabric. The second movement, marked Andantino in modo di canzona, offers a contrasting mood of melancholy, featuring a plaintive oboe melody that evokes a sense of longing. The third movement, a lively Scherzo, is a dazzling showcase of Tchaikovsky’s orchestral ingenuity, with pizzicato strings creating a light, almost playful atmosphere. The finale, a whirlwind of energy, attempts to defy the sense of fatalism introduced in the first movement, but the recurring fate motif signals that fate cannot be easily escaped.
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 stands as a powerful statement on the human condition: our hopes, struggles, and ultimate confrontation with forces beyond our control. Its emotional depth, orchestral brilliance, and gripping drama have made it one of the most beloved works in the symphonic repertoire.
Three things to listen for:
The recurring “fate motif” in the brass, symbolizing the inescapable power of destiny.
The plaintive oboe melody in the second movement, evoking a sense of melancholy and longing.
The pizzicato strings in the third movement, showcasing Tchaikovsky’s playful orchestral techniques amidst the symphony’s emotional intensity.
The Final Five
Farkhad Khudyev is the second of five Music Director finalists. Meet the final five music director candidates, who will each conduct one concert featuring a different Beethoven piano concerto and major symphonic works.
See Farkhad and the other remaining Music Director finalists starting at $86.
Learn more about Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 through this episode of the Sticky Notes podcast.
Enhance your concert week experience:
Piano Master Class with Chaeyoung Park
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
4:00-5:30 pm
The Studio, Hult Center
Eugene Symphony's visiting artist Chaeyoung Park will work with three talented local piano students as part of the Laura Avery Visiting Masters Series. Free and open to the public. No musical experience necessary to attend.
Guild Legacy Pre-Concert Talk
Thursday, November 21, 2024
6:30 pm-7:00 pm
The Studio, Hult Center
Get to know Music Director finalist Farkhad Khudyev, guest pianist Chaeyoung Park, the evening’s program, and more at the Guild Legacy Pre-Concert Talk, hosted by Concert Master Searmi Park.
Arrive early to snag a seat!
Unofficial After Party: Manifest Brewing
Thursday, October 24, 2024
~9:45 pm-close
Manifest Brewing, 740 Willamette Street
Join us after the concert for the Unofficial After Party of Eugene Symphony at Manifest Brewing!
Keep the party going! Help us raise a glass to our second Music Director finalist, right across the 7th, to hang with orchestra musicians, guest artists, and staff to get to know us a little bit better.
Cheers to you! We’ll see you there!
Program:
Overture to La forza del destino Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Piano Concerto No. 2 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Chaeyoung Park, piano
Symphony No. 4 Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)