Beethoven, Brahms, and Billy Joel with the Erie Philharmonic

Contributed

The Erie Philharmonic offers up performances for both their Symphonic and Pops series in the coming weeks – a celebration of Brahms, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff leading into a sing-along night featuring the music of Billy Joel, starring Michael Cavanaugh.

SATURDAY, OCT. 25 and SATURDAY, NOV. 1

The Erie Philharmonic Symphonic Series premiere will feature the Romantic era with the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, opening with Brahms' Nänie. Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster David McCarroll serves as featured soloist on Beethoven's Violin Concerto, finishing with Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2. Additionally, the Pops Series brings rock and roll to the Warner Theatre in November with "The Music of Billy Joel Starring Michael Cavanaugh."

"This program was developed before I got here, but it is one of the highlights of the season," Erie Philharmonic Executive Director Bobby Pape said. The first piece of the 2025-2026 Symphonic Series is Brahms' Nänie, with lyrics by German playwright Friedrich Schiller. "This is a little bit unconventional for us historically, to feature the chorus like this at the top of the season on a smaller work. We typically feature the chorus in a masterwork at the end of the year."

Pape explained that even though the piece is serious for a Symphonic Season opening, Meyer's choice of composition lifts the bar for a strong season, "We're not afraid of tackling big emotion when it comes to our orchestral programming. The exploration of death, the breadth of emotion, and luminosity in the orchestration make it such a fitting companion to the Rachmaninov Symphony and the Beethoven Violin Concerto. I think this is why Daniel chose to weave these things together and open in a spot that would traditionally be reserved for an overture. It's incredibly experimental for the audience, but it is also a great way to set the table for a season full of diversity and depth."

Billy Joel's background in classical music laid the foundation for his solo career, lending itself well to symphonic orchestrations. "He's so thoughtful about these anthemic melodies and harmonies that blend so naturally with the orchestra. Billy Joel is basically one of the 20th century bards of our country," Pape said. "From a musicology standpoint, it's great and a lot of fun."

Michael Cavanaugh, who originated the role of the Piano Man in the 2002 Broadway musical Movin' Out and who will be performing Joel's music with the Erie Philharmonic, was handpicked by Joel for the jukebox musical. "He's not doing an impression; he's embodying the spirit in the way Joel thinks and performs. It's not like hearing a cover band so much as it's hearing this ultimate orchestral realization of Billy Joel's music."

As a lifelong fan of Joel, Pape connects the experience of seeing Michael Cavanaugh perform Joel's songbook to his own concert experiences and memories of audiences at the Warner Theatre. "I have such fond memories of seeing Billy Joel live. For those who have seen him, it's a more wraparound experience with surrounding sound in a way a rock band can't produce. It puts the power of the music front and center." 

Brahms, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff, Saturday, Oct. 25 // 7:30 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State St. // $17-$63 // Tickets and info: eriephil.org

The Music of Billy Joel Starring Michael Cavanaugh, Nov. 1 and 2 // Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State St. // $17-$63 // Tickets and info: eriephil.org