Rachmaninov's Rhapsody & Tchaikovsky 4

Composed in 1996, the Sinfonia No. 4, "Strands" by George Walker, the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music, weaves together different "strands" of music, blending rhythms, harmonies, and contrasts to create a striking sonic texture.

Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony is perhaps the most explosive of his works. Opening with a bold rhythmic motif, reminiscent of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, it grabs the listener from the very first notes before launching into the longest first movement of Tchaikovsky’s symphonic output. From the lyrical second movement to the buoyant third and the electrifying finale, this symphony remains one of the most virtuosic and captivating in the modern repertoire.

Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini completes the evening. More of a theme and variations than a true rhapsody, and more of a concerto than a symphony, it places the piano at center stage, transforming the famous Paganini theme into 24 dazzling variations of remarkable contrast and ingenuity.

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