Rachmaninoff wrote music that sticks to the ribs of listeners. His Piano Concerto No. 2 is extravagant and voluptuous from start to finish, and he would take pride in knowing it remains the single-most played work in the repertoire. Sibelius struggled to complete his Symphony No. 5. But the ending is worth all the angst – a triumphal, powerful finale described as “Thor wielding his hammer.” Sibelius’ tone poem The Swan of Tuonela is more peaceful, with the swan’s song played by the English horn. These program notes include music excerpts.
Masterworks 9 of the 22/23 Season 
Performances: Feb. 17-19, 2023