Erie Philharmonic Kicks Off Symphonic Series with Tchaikovsky

Sophie Zhai

Be transported by the mesmerizing Violin Concerto by Jean Sibelius performed by violinist Stefan Jackiw, who will be accompanying the Erie Philharmonic as they present their first symphonic concert of the season this October.

SATURDAY, OCT. 12

The Erie Philharmonic is starting its 2024-25 Symphonic Concert Series with a musical tour of the world, culminating with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, Gabriela Ortiz's orchestral composition Kauyumari, and Jean Sibelius's Violin Concerto, with renowned violinist Stefan Jackiw accompanying the symphony.

"Experience the emotional depth of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 and the profound Sibelius Violin Concert, masterfully performed by violinist Stefan Jackiw," The Erie Philharmonic describes. "The evening also introduces Gabriela Ortiz's composition Kauyumari, a vibrant blend of contemporary rhythms and traditional melodies, showcasing the richness of Mexican music."

Tchaikovsky composed his fifth symphony between May and August of 1888, dedicating the piece to German music teacher Theodor Ave-Lammemant. He met Lammemant in January while performing at a concert in Hamburg. Lammemant, who served as chief director of the Hamburg Philharmonic Society, told Tchaikovsky that although he did not like many of his compositions, he thought the younger composer had potential and urged Tchaikovsky to move to Germany. Remembering this interaction in great detail, Tchaikovsky dedicated the fifth symphony to Lammemant, which premiered on Nov. 17, 1889, at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg.

Sibelius started composing his Violin Concerto in 1903 and premiered it in 1904, with the Helsinki Philharmonic Society featuring Hungarian violinist Victor Nováček. At the time, Sibelius finished the composition at the last minute and had to replace German violinist Willy Bruster as a soloist due to financial difficulties in traveling to Berlin. The premiere was received poorly, and Sibelius withheld the 1904 version from publication to revise the piece significantly. On Oct. 19, 1905, Sibelius premiered the improved version of the concerto with the Berlin Court Orchestra under the direction of Richard Strauss. Dedicated to Hungarian violinist and child prodigy Franz von Vecsey, the 1905 version was shorter and less complex than the original, performed by orchestral leader Karel Halíř.

Ortiz's works have been performed worldwide by the Berliner Philharmoniker, New York Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra. Her inspiration for Kauyumari, known as "blue deer," came from the Huichol people of Mexico who view the deer as a spiritual guide that helps them communicate with their ancestors and guard the planet. The composition premiered in 2021, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She teaches music composition at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and has received recognition from the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and the Academy of the Arts.

Experience all three of these pieces, lushly performed on the historic Warner Theatre stage. 

7:30 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State St. // $17-$61 // For tickets and info: eriephil.org