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Season Concert

Romance

featuring
Elisa Barston, violin
April 23, 2023
3:00 pm
Mount Baker Theatre

Program*


Johannes Brahms | Violin Concerto (38’)
Robert Schumann | Symphony No. 3 (32’)

Join us on Sunday, April 23rd as we take the stage at the Mount Baker Theatre for a dreamy, lyrical afternoon, featuring Brahms and Schumann—musical giants and close friends in life.

In the first half, violinist Elisa Barston will join the orchestra for Johannes Brahms' Violin Concerto. Praised for her “glowing sound” and “technical aplomb” (The Strad), violinist Elisa Barston is the Seattle Symphony’s Principal Second Violin. As a soloist and chamber musician, Barston has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, appearing with the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the St. Louis and Taipei symphony orchestras, among many others. In 1986, she made her European debut with the English Chamber Orchestra at the request of Sir Yehudi Menuhin. 

Next, the orchestra returns to the stage for Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 3. Nicknamed the "Rhenish" symphony, the rhythmic and melodic work was composed in 1850 during the composer's tenure in the Rhineland, the beautiful region surrounding the Rhine river in western Germany.

Powerful: Brahms and Schumann; two giants and two giant works.

Beautiful: In Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg, Smilla, the protagonist says "I cry because in the universe there is something as beautiful as Kremer playing Brahms' violin concerto."

Inspiring: When Schumann’s work premiered, the audience applauded between every movement, particularly at the end of the piece, when the orchestra joined them in congratulating Schumann by shouting "hurrah!"

Of Note

Elisa Barston is Principal Second Violin for the Seattle Symphony, performs with Music of Remembrance, and is a terrific friend to the BSO.

Schumann studied law before turning his studies to music.

Brahms composed many works at Pörtschach, an Austrian lakeside resort that delighted the composer with its serenity and natural beauty. Brahms claimed the place was so overrun with melodies that one had to take care not to step on them.

Brahms and the Schumanns were close friends during their lifetimes.

Discover More

WATCH: Dr. Ryan Dudenbostel's Pre-Concert Lecture Teaser

WATCH: Elisa Barston & Oana Rusu Tomai

READ: 10 Interesting Facts About Robert Schumann


READ: Learn more about Elisa Barston

Experience LIVE Music - there's nothing like it!

Dr. Ryan Dudenbostel’s engaging and informative Pre-Concert Lecture will take place at 2:15PM in the Walton Theatre. Doors open at 2PM and seating is limited, so please plan accordingly.

Check out our BSO Health & Safety Guidelines and Concert FAQs to find out more about how we are working to keep you safe while sharing the joy of LIVE music.

Tickets: $15 to $49

*All programs subject to change