Erie Phil Closes Symphonic Series with Epic Arrangements of Classic Pieces

Saturday, Apr. 13

Music by Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms, three classical composers, will close out Erie Philharmonic's symphonic series for the 2018-19 season.

Johannes Brahms' famous Requiem will be sung by the Erie Philharmonic Chorus and soloists of the Pittsburgh Opera. Baritone Benjamin Taylor will be leading the male part of the historic piece, side by side with soprano Ashley Fabian. With a focus on carefully selected pieces of Christian scripture, Brahms' piece was designed to lessen terror and bring hope to listeners. The soloists' parts float over sweeping orchestral and choral movements.

The piece consists of seven movements, making it Brahms' longest composition. Altogether, a typical performance runs just over an hour.

Preceding the grand finale will be an arrangement of Beethoven's String Quartet Opus 95 by composer Gustav Mahler. This interpretation will engage the entirety of the Philharmonic's string section — including double basses — adding density to the well-known chamber music.

This will be followed by the overture to Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. This opera buffa (comic opera) was composed in 1786 and premiered in Vienna on May 1 of that year. Since then, the work has become a pillar of operatic works and is consistently in the top ten of most performed operas each year. — Hannah McDonald

8 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State St. // Tickets begin at $23 // eriephil.org