Tania
conducts Sibelius
Combining power and grandeur with tender, poetic expression, Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto stands as one of his most profound achievements. Hear it performed by Harmony Zhu. Journey through the Nordic ice and soaring splendor of Jean Sibelius' First Symphony and explore the Birds of Paradise, a 2015 piece inspired by BBC’s Planet Earth.
“Harmony Zhu is a deeply musical soul and nimble technician.”
—Chicago Tribune
Tickets start at $15, with $10 student/youth tickets.
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The Artists
Listen and Learn
Program Notes:
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Andrea Tarrodi (b. 1981)
DURATION: Approximately 8 minutes.
Andrea Tarrodi’s Birds of Paradise invites listeners into a vivid soundscape inspired by the dazzling colors and intricate courtship rituals of the birds of paradise. Composed in 2016, this work showcases Tarrodi’s gift for creating immersive, atmospheric music that merges nature and imagination, and captures the essence of these exotic birds through shimmering orchestral textures, vibrant melodies, and rhythmic dynamism.
The music unfolds as a series of vivid sonic tableaux, evoking the birds’ elegance and vitality. Tarrodi’s use of colorful orchestration mirrors the birds’ plumage, with instruments like flutes and strings providing fluttering, iridescent effects. Moments of stillness and delicate harmonies evoke the lush rainforests where these creatures reside, while energetic passages bring their animated movements and calls to life.
In Birds of Paradise, Tarrodi seamlessly blends evocative imagery with a contemporary musical language, offering a piece that is both accessible and richly layered. Her ability to draw inspiration from nature and translate it into music has made this work a standout in the modern repertoire.
3 Things to Listen For
Shimmering textures in the strings and winds, evoking the vibrant plumage of the birds.
Dynamic contrasts between moments of tranquility and bursts of energetic motion.
Playful, birdlike calls in the woodwinds, creating a sense of life and movement.
SCORED: For two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, percussion, and strings.
HISTORY: This is the first Eugene Symphony performance.
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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
DURATION: Approximately 34 minutes.
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 is a revolutionary work that redefined the relationship between soloist and orchestra. Composed in 1805-1806, during a particularly fertile period of Beethoven’s creativity, it is celebrated for its lyrical beauty, formal innovations, and profound emotional depth. The concerto was premiered in 1808 with Beethoven himself as the soloist, in what would be one of his last public performances before his hearing deteriorated.
The concerto opens in an unprecedented manner: Instead of the orchestra introducing the main theme, the piano begins alone, presenting a serene and introspective melody. This gentle opening sets the tone for a first movement of extraordinary expressiveness and intricate dialogue. The piano and orchestra interact as equals, exchanging ideas and building a rich, harmonious narrative.
The second movement is one of Beethoven’s most remarkable creations. Often described as a musical depiction of the Orpheus myth, the movement unfolds as a conversation between the tempestuous strings and the pleading piano. The stark contrast between the orchestral turbulence and the piano’s serene response creates an intense emotional arc, culminating in a resolution that is both tranquil and poignant.
The third movement, a joyous Rondo, bursts forth with vitality and playful energy. Here, Beethoven balances virtuosic passages for the soloist with vibrant orchestral interjections, creating a finale that brims with humor, brilliance, and an unrestrained sense of celebration.
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 stands as a landmark in the concerto repertoire, offering a poetic balance of intimacy and grandeur. Its pioneering approach to form and expression continues to captivate audiences and performers alike.
3 Things to Listen For
The piano’s serene solo opening, an innovation that immediately captures attention.
The dramatic interplay in the second movement, where the piano’s lyrical pleas seem to calm the orchestra’s fury.
The joyful, energetic exchanges in the third movement, showcasing Beethoven’s mastery of contrast and rhythm.
SCORED: In addition to piano solo, scored for flute, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings.
HISTORY: First performed by Eugene Symphony in April 1984 by Rudolf Firkrisny under the direction of William McGlaughlin, and last performed in February 2020 with Jeffrey Kahane as soloist and conductor.
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Jean Sibelius (1865–1957)
DURATION: Approximately 38 minutes.
Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1 is a bold and dramatic debut that announced the arrival of a distinctive voice in symphonic music. Completed in 1899 and revised in 1900, the symphony reflects the influences of late Romantic composers like Tchaikovsky while charting new territory with its Nordic character and atmospheric intensity. This work also carries a nationalist undercurrent, as Sibelius was beginning to emerge as a cultural symbol during Finland’s struggle for independence from Russia.
The symphony begins with a haunting clarinet solo, accompanied by a soft timpani roll. This enigmatic opening establishes a sense of mystery and sets the stage for the sweeping drama to follow. The first movement develops themes of brooding intensity and lyrical beauty, alternating between moments of fiery passion and introspective calm. Sibelius’s mastery of orchestration is evident in the vivid textures and dynamic contrasts that give the music its powerful emotional impact.
The second movement offers a moment of lyrical respite. Its lush string writing and tender melodies evoke a sense of pastoral beauty, though traces of melancholy linger beneath the surface. This movement reflects Sibelius’s gift for capturing the natural world, painting musical landscapes that feel both intimate and expansive.
The third movement is a burst of rhythmic vitality, driven by energetic strings and bold brass interjections. Its relentless momentum is tempered by a contrasting trio section, where moments of suspense create a sense of anticipation before the music surges forward again.
The finale ties the symphony’s themes together in a dramatic and emotionally charged conclusion. The movement begins with a brooding introduction before launching into sweeping melodies and intense climaxes. Throughout, Sibelius weaves a sense of longing and defiance, culminating in a triumphant resolution that feels both hard-earned and deeply satisfying.
Sibelius’s First Symphony established him as Finland’s leading composer and set the stage for the symphonic masterpieces that would define his career. Its combination of Romantic expressiveness and emerging Nordic identity makes it a cornerstone of the orchestral repertoire. It is both a powerful personal statement and a bold step toward the development of a uniquely Finnish musical identity, earning its place as one of the great Romantic symphonies.
3 Things to Listen For
The haunting clarinet solo at the opening, which creates an air of mystery and introspection.
The third movement’s relentless energy, balanced by moments of suspense and anticipation.
The finale’s sweeping emotional arc, blending fiery passion with triumphant resolution.
SCORED: For two flutes including piccolo, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, harp, and strings.
HISTORY: First performed by Eugene Symphony in March 1998 under the direction of Miguel Harth-Bedoya.
Learn more about Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 through this episode of the Sticky Notes podcast.
Program:
Birds of Paradise Andrea Tarrodi (b. 1981)
Piano Concerto No. 4 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Harmony Zhu, piano
Symphony No. 1 Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)