Focus on Brahms in Cincinnati

Johannes Brahms

Brahms Fest is underway in Cincinnati.

This season and next, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will perform all four of his symphonies, as well as other works by Brahms. In addition, the CSO is partnering with other Cincinnati organizations to present a cornucopia of his music.

The event honors Cincinnati’s German roots.

The CSO led by music director Louis Langrée will perform two of Brahms’ symphonies this season. The Symphony No. 1 will be heard at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. The Sunday concert will be a special “Stories in Concert” program with spoken commentary by Langrée.  All take place at Music Hall. The Sunday concert will be followed by a Brahms-themed CSO “Party of Note” at 4:30 p.m. at Bromwells.

Langrée and the CSO will perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 on March 11 and 12 at Music Hall.

“Brahms was composing his symphonies at the same time Over-the-Rhine (site of Music Hall) was built,” said Langrée. “Over-the-Rhine is a romantic place, as its soul resists the industrialization of that time. Although people came to the new world for the opportunities industry provided, people needed art and spirituality, the heart and soul of home, more than ever. So they built their temple for music – Music Hall – in the middle of that district.”

Partnering with the CSO in the two-year festival are other Cincinnati arts organizations, including the Vocal Arts Ensemble to the Linton Music Series.

Here is a rundown of upcoming Brahms Fest concerts:

Jan. 14. 7:30 p.m. Music Hall. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. “Brahms + Schumann: For the Love of Clara.” Schumann, Piano Concerto. Brahms, Symphony No. 1.Kiril Gerstein, piano. Louis Langrée, conductor.

Jan. 16. 8 p.m. Music Hall. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. “Brahms + Schumann: For the Love of Clara.” Schumann, Piano Concerto. Brahms, Symphony No. 1. Kiril

Gerstein, piano. Louis Langrée, conductor.

Jan. 17. 2 p.m. Music Hall. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. “Stories in Concert.” Brahms, Symphony No. 1.  Langrée, narrator and conductor.  This concert will be followed by a special CSO “Party of Note” at 4:30 p.m. at Bromwells.

Jan. 24. 4 p.m. First Unitarian Church, Avondale. Linton Music Series. Celebrating Brahms Fest. Anna Polonsky, piano. Timothy Lees, violin. Jonathan Gunn, clarinet.  Elizabeth Freimuth, French horn.

Feb. 5. 8 p.m. First Unitarian Church, 1208 Race St. Vocal Arts Ensemble. “Brahms X2.” Brahms motets and vocal quartets. Stephanie Nash, conductor.

Feb. 21. 4 p.m. Music Hall. CSO Chamber Players. “Love and Mirth.” Brahms chamber works.

March 11. 11 a.m. Music Hall. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Johann Strauss Jr. “Blue Danube Waltz.” Alban Berg, Concerto, “To the Memory of an Angel.” Brahms, Symphony No. 2. Augustin Hadelich, violin. Langrée, conductor

March 12. 8 p.m.  Music Hall. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Johann Strauss Jr. “Blue Danube Waltz.” Alban Berg, Concerto, “To the Memory of an Angel.” Brahms, Symphony No. 2. Augustin Hadelich, violin. Langrée, conductor

For further information and tickets, visit cincinnatisymphony.org/brahmsfest