The theme — “Masterworks” — for the Everett Philharmonic Orchestra’s first concert of the season on Sunday is well-earned, with performances of Mahler’s Adagietto from Symphony No. 5, Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D Major and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 was written by the composer as part of his efforts to woo a woman he was in love with who had many other suitors.
It was a musical poem written to her, said Paul-Elliott Cobbs, the orchestra’s music director.
Mahler’s plan worked. The couple later married.
Svend Ronning, the guest violinist for the performance of the Korngold’s Violin Concerto, was born in Stanwood. He began his concert career with the Seattle Youth Symphony and went on to become concertmaster for a number of symphonies including the Charlottesville Symphony, the San Jose Symphony, the Spoleto U.S.A. Chamber Orchestra, and the Tacoma Opera Orchestra before returning to the Northwest.
He now is a professor of music at Pacific Lutheran University.
The concert will conclude with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, composed during a dramatic turn in his life, Cobbs said.
Beethoven had completely lost his hearing and was extremely depressed and suicidal. “He couldn’t decide to end it or fight,” Cobbs said.
The result — the decision to fight — is evident in the music, with it’s famous “dat, dat, dat, dah” a signal of the heroic victory.
“It’s a very powerful opening concert and I think whether people know the story behind it or not, they’ll grasp the emotion of the music,” Cobbs said.
A pre-concert chat is set for 2 p.m.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-34986 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
If you go
What: Everett Philharmonic Orchestra
When: 3 to 5 p.m. Oct 14
Where: Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., Everett
Tickets: $25 general admission, $20 for seniors and active military, $10 youth and students with ID
More: 206-270-9729 or www.everettphil.org
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
