Principal conductor Peter Oundjian leads the Yale Philharmonia in a performance of Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44.
November 18, 2022, Woolsey Hall
Program notes from the concert:
A distant, chant-like motive-scored for muted cellos, stopped horns, and clarinets begins this final symphony of Sergei Rachmaninoff. This brief gesture is significant, returning again throughout the symphony in various guises. The orchestra responds emphatically with Hollywood flair, almost comically grand in comparison to the chant. Such dualities are prevalent throughout the symphony, as when a melancholy opening theme is introduced in the winds that feels vaguely connected to the opening chant yet distinct in its character. A lush, gauzy second theme is introduced in the cellos, building to a bold, brassy climax, before retreating once again. The composer’s inventive 3-movement structure reveals its cleverness especially in the second, where he combines a scherzo and “slow movement” into one. After a re-statement of the opening chant (now in triple meter and inverted), an Adagio beginning with an aching melody in the violin and featuring the Cor Anglais leads to a mischievous Scherzo with skittering strings and brash woodwind interjections. The Adagio returns again once the Scherzo has exhausted itself of energy. A triumphant finale marches in lead by the strings, who signal fanfares along with the brass. A detour into a slower yet exaltant second theme and a contrapuntal development ultimately to a thrilling, celebratory conclusion.
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