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.
- Resident Composer Saad Haddad makes his California Symphony debut with the World Premiere of Mishwar (in Arabic: مشوار ), which translates as A Trip.
Concerts Should Be Fun
Why ask people to behave differently at symphony orchestra concerts than just about all other entertainment experiences? The California Symphony is changing that.
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Free pre-concert talk begins an hour before the show
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Bring your drinks to your seats
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Phones on and silent allowed
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Clap when you like what you hear
The Program
Saad Haddad, Resident ComposerWorld Premiere: "Mishwar" (مشوار)
Clara SchumannPiano Concerto
Johannes BrahmsSymphony No.1
Featured Artists
What You'll Hear
Launch YouTube PlaylistDeep Dive
- NPR: Brahms: Breaking the Mold Beethoven Built
- Classic FM: Why Clara Schumann was Completely Unique and Awesome
- On the Blog: Meet Saad Haddad, 2024-2026 Young American Composer-in-Residence
- Donato's Blog: Clara Schumann Piano Concerto
- Classic FM: 15 Facts About Brahms
- Pianist Magazine: Brahms and the Schumanns—The story behind the classical love triangle
- Clara Schumann Channel: The Day She Met Johannes Brahms
- Clara Schumann Channel: Brahms' Mentor Not His Muse
Meet the Trailblazers of Brahms Obsessions: