Aurora

Three legendary Scandinavian and Slavic composers channel the powerful spirit and splendor of the frozen north in the Asheville Symphony’s Masterworks 4: Aurora concert inspired by the northern lights.

Envision towering cliffs with Grieg’s Piano Concerto featuring pianist Jacob Bernhardt, icy fjords with Sibelius’ epic Finlandia, and snowy fields with Tchaikovsky’s brilliant and dramatic Fourth Symphony. Led by Maestro Darko Butorac, the concert takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.

“In this concert, we explore three epic works from three Northern composers: Sibelius, Grieg, and Tchaikovsky—fitting for a wintry mood,” said Butorac. “Sibelius’ Finlandia is a rousing work that was central to Finland’s quest for independence and is known for its powerful brass writing. The Grieg Piano Concerto is the composer’s best-known work, celebrated for its dramatic opening and virtuosity, that will feature our guest pianist Jacob Bernhardt, winner of the CIM Concerto Competition.

“To finish the program we have Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, full of drama, soaring melodies and excitement as it explores the conflict between choice and fate. This is one of my favorite works to conduct, and I am thrilled to present it to our Asheville audience!”

The program opens with Finlandia, a tone poem for orchestra. The piece was premiered in the composer’s native Finland for the Finnish Press Pension Celebration of 1899, a rally in support of freedom of the Finnish press that was largely controlled by tsarist Russia at that time. With a powerful opening, symbolizing Russia’s repression of the Finns, and hymn-like middle section, it soon became the symbol of Finnish nationalism.

Next, guest pianist Jacob Bernhardt joins the orchestra for Grieg’s beloved Piano Concerto. Inspired by Robert Schumann and incorporating Norwegian dance rhythms, Grieg’s Piano Concerto is one of the most popular Romantic concertos of all time and continues to captivate audiences.

Winner of the 2021 Cleveland Institute of Music’s concerto competition, Bernhardt is a native of the Chicago area. He earned his bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Bob Jones University, and his master’s degree in collaborative piano from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has garnered awards including first prizes in Bob Jones University’s Piano Contest and Concerto/Aria Competition, and in Cleveland Institute of Music’s Milhaud Competition. He also received Cleveland Institute of Music’s Rosa Lobe Memorial Award for the highest level of achievement in the collaborative piano department.

The program concludes with Tchaikovsky’s dramatic Fourth Symphony, of which the composer himself wrote, “I feel in my heart that this work is the best I have ever written.” With his Fourth Symphony, Tchaikovsky began his exploration of Fate as an inescapable force. Its musical themes span the emotional gamut: a battle between the sinister and the playful, the festive and the melancholy—and a reflection of the emotional turbulence in the composer’s life at the time of its composition. Its rousing conclusion is an inspiring portrayal of triumph over adversity.

Series subscriptions, ticket packages and single tickets are on sale now. Single tickets for Masterworks concerts are $25–75, depending on seating section (reduced youth pricing is available).

Tickets can be purchased online at ashevillesymphony.org, by phone at 828-254-7046, in person at the Asheville Symphony office at 27 College Pl., Suite 100, or at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville Box Office in downtown Asheville.

The Asheville Symphony Orchestra performs and promotes symphonic music for the benefit, enjoyment and education of the people of Western North Carolina. The ASO presents concerts in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville.

Related organizations include the Asheville Symphony Guild, Asheville Symphony Chorus, Asheville Symphonettes, and education initiatives such as the Asheville Buncombe Youth Orchestra, Music in the Schools, MusicWorks, Spotlight on Young Musicians, Symphony Talk, and pre-concert lectures.

Learn more at ashevillesymphony.org.