What's Happening in Raleigh, NC…

There will be music in the air soon, thanks to the North Carolina Symphony.

The orchestra is offering a classical program of “Overture No. 1” by Louise Farrenc; Franz Schubert's “Symphony No. 4,” and the “Piano Concerto No. 2,” by Johannes Brahms, which is the featured work for the evening. Stephen Hough is the guest pianist, with Grant Llewellyn conducting the orchestra.

Brahms composed his second piano concerto between 1878 and 1881, 22 years after he wrote his first. He dedicated the work to Eduard Marxsen, his teacher, and was the soloist when the piece was introduced to the public at a performance in Budapest in November, 1881. The Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied Brahms, and the concerto was an instant success.

The concerto differs from others written in the Romantic period: it has four movements rather than the typical three, with the result that it is also longer than most, running approximately 50 minutes.

Stephen Hough is renowned for his interpretation of piano pieces, and has performed on the world's major stages including Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, the Royal Festival Hall in London, Symphony Hall in Chicago, and Carnegie Hall. He has released a CD of Brahms concertos which has won both critical and public praise.

There are two performances featuring the same program: January 24 and January 25, both starting at 8.00 pm, at the Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh. Brochure printing can be used to create programs for events like this.