Tchaikovsky 6 & The Young Artists

Symphony Pathetique: tragic or passionate musical note?

One of the most emotionally intense works ever conceived is the Sixth Symphony by 19th century Russian composer Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Many of the most celebrated and romantic works for the orchestra are by Tchaikovsky, and his ballet music for The Nutcracker and Swan Lake are beloved around the world. But in his Sixth and final symphony, Tchaikovsky combines his trademark lyrical gifts with a searing intensity that paints a devastating, dramatic image of a composer nearing the end of his life and grappling with his own mortality.

"Tchaikovsky’s final musical statement is beyond profound," remarks Dr. Heuser. “This will be my third time performing this masterpiece, and there are moments that bring me to tears mid-performance whether I like it or not. The subtitle Pathétique translates as emotional, or passionate, and our audiences will be absolutely mesmerized by the impact that this music has when heard live.”

From the very outset, a mystical bassoon intones a low, sighing solo that leads the listener into a series of contrasting sections that shift suddenly between the sublimely lyrical and the violently agitated. After a lilting second movement and the festive march of the third movement, the stunning Finale pulls on the heart strings and plunges us into despair. The final moments fade away like a dying heartbeat, painting a picture of tragedy that leaves us all literally breathless. No other symphony has the same emotional arc and impact, and truly, it must be seen and heard to be believed.

But this is not all we will experience…

Introducing Young Artists Michael Weir & Emma Ballif

Since the 1960s, the Idaho Falls Symphony has hosted the Young Artists Competition providing opportunities for Idaho students to showcase remarkable talent and musical preparation. Past winners from this highly competitive event have gone on to have extraordinary musical careers. We are excited to present the amazing young musicians from the competition who will be performing with the Idaho Fall Symphony at our concert on Saturday.

Emma Ballif will kick off the concert with  the iconic First Movement of the Cello Concerto by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, a powerful orchestral prelude that introduces a host of famous melodies. She will then navigate the huge demands of Dvořák’s cello writing, showcasing the full extent of the instrument’s range and expressive capabilities.

Michael Weir will lead audiences on an epic journey as he tackles the brooding First Movement of the Violin Concerto by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, which features extended solo cadenzas that seem to suggest a troubled protagonist, searching the depths of their soul. Sibelius is famous for his dark and brooding moods, and though brilliant, the Violin Concerto rarely strays into the light.

Join us on Saturday! It's a night to remember!