Sat 7/8 @ 8PM
Two crowd-pleasers are on the Cleveland Orchestra’s Blossom schedule for this weekend: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 and Hector Berloiz’s Symphonie fantastique.
While Beethoven’s Second Symphony, written in 1801-1802 when he was barely in his 30s, isn’t as popular as his 4th, 5th or well-known final symphony, his 9th, still, it’s Beethoven.
Berlioz wrote his fiery, spectacular Symphony Fantastique in 1930 when he was just 26, and it exudes youthful passion in every note. It tells the tale in music (Berlioz provided explanatory notes) of a young musician unbalanced by opium delerium and unrequited love. There’s even a witches’ Sabbath. Leonard Bernstein described it as “the first psychedelic symphony,” and it’s Berlioz’s ability to describe passion in music that has keep the piece popular.
Music director Franz Welser-Möst will conduct the orchestra. Tickets range from $24-$89.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223