Brahms Obsessions

Saad Haddad, Young American Composer-in-Residence – World Premiere

Clara Schumann – Piano Concerto

Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 1

WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THIS CONCERT

• Tortured by comparisons to Beethoven, it took Brahms 21 years to finish writing his first symphony. Some critics hailed the piece as “Beethoven’s Tenth” in recognition of Brahms’ ultimate triumph.
• Clara Schumann was the longtime object of the Brahms’ ardent affections. In addition to being an acclaimed virtuosic pianist, she was also a prodigy who finished her only surviving piano concerto two weeks before her sixteenth birthday.
• Our newest composer-in-residence makes his California Symphony debut.

Running Time: approx. 1 hour 55 minutes, with one intermission