The 19-year-old Chopin was just like any other young man. As the composer was in music school in Warsaw, he met and fell in love with a fellow student, acting as his muse for the utterly romantic Piano Concerto you’ll hear played by the world-renowned Emanuel Ax. This piece complements Schmidt’s heart-wrenching symphony written in light of his daughter’s early passing.

Also, prepare to be tricked in Strauss’s interpretation of the Medieval jokester, Till Eulenspiegel. Listen as he dances around the orchestra poking fun at conventional society, with the composer’s intent to “give the people in the concert hall a good laugh for once.”

Program

Franz Schmidt: Symphony No. 4   [ PITTSBURGH PREMIERE ]

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Frédéric Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2

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Richard Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks