YORK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS "TCHAIKOVSKY & FRIENDS"

As popular as it is today, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto entered the world on a sour note. After the premiere in 1881, the critic Eduard Hanslick published a scathing review: "The violin is no longer played. It is beaten black and blue." The concerto has since become one of the most beloved and frequently performed works in the violin repertoire, and stands alongside the violin concertos of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Bruch and Sibelius. Audiences relate to its rhythmic excitement, sentiment and unbridled melody. The YSO is happy to welcome Canadian violinist Christie Cheung to perform the Tchaikovsky concerto.

Shostakovich composed the Festive Overture in 1954 to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the October Revolution. While ostensibly a celebratory work for the state, the overture is often interpreted as reflecting Shostakovich's relief following the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953. The work's sheer vivacity and brilliant orchestration have secured it a permanent place in the international repertoire and it remains one of the most popular concert openers.

Khachaturian composed the Masquerade Suite in 1941, with the Waltz being the most famous and frequently performed movement. The waltz evokes an early 19th century aristocratic ballroom but is characterized by a "large dash of menace" making it a weighty, energetic and somewhat militaristic piece rather than a light viennese dance. It is often called a "close relative" of Tchaikovsky's waltzes in its suave Romantic lyricism, but distinguishes itself through Khachaturian's rhythmic vitality and visceral edginess.

Alexander Borodin's Symphony No.2 is a cornerstone of Russian Romantic music. The work is characterized by its powerful use of brass, complex rhythms and evocative folk-inspired melodies. The work remains one of Borodin's most significant compositions bridging the gap between Glinka and Tchaikovsky in Russian symphonic tradition.