The next Tulsa Symphony Orchestra concert, Poetry, Prowess and Personal Passion, will be held Saturday, March 12, 7:30pm in Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
Les Preludes is perhaps the best known of Liszt's tone poems. The composer explained its meaning by saying: "What is our life but a series of preludes to that unknown chant, the first solemn note of which is sounded by death?"
Unlike any previous piano concerto, the Prokofiev Op. 10 Piano Concerto required powerful technique, dazzling speed and unusual strength, which propelled him into the limelight as one of the premier performers and composers of his time.
Symphony No. 3 was Brahms' present to Clara Schumann on her 64th birthday. Brahms had adored Clara from the moment he met her, although the two were reportedly never romantically involved. Clara writes in her letter of thanks to Brahms for his unique present: "I have spent such happy hours with your wonderful creation...What a work! What a poem!...From start to finish one is wrapped about with mysterious charm!"
Gisele Ben-Dor, guest conductor
Michael Noble, pianist-winner of the 2009 Crescendo Music Awards
Liszt-Les Preludes
Prokofiev-Piano Concerto No. 1
Brahms-Symphony No. 3
Tickets ($10-$65) are available online at MyTicketOffice.com, or at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center ticket office, (918) 596-7111.
(http://www.myticketoffice.com/upload/Gisele-Ben-Dor.jpg)