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Masterworks kicks off season with music by Tower, Strauss, Rachmaninoff

Guest pianist Ning An, a visiting artist from Lee University, will be featured on Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 during the opening-night performance of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. Guest pianist Ning An, a visiting artist from Lee University, will be featured on Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 during the opening-night performance of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera.

By Casey Phillips September 22, 2016 3 min read

If you go

› What: CSO Masterworks Series season opener, “Strauss and Rachmaninoff,” featuring guest pianist Ning An.› When: 7:30 p.m. today, Sept. 22.› Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.› Admission: $21-$83.› Phone: 423-267-8583.› Website: chattanoogasymphony.org/event/opening-night-strauss-and-rachmaninoff.

Masterworks season

>› Oct. 20: Beethoven Choral Fantasy› Nov. 17: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5› Jan. 26: Dvorak Symphony No. 7› March 2: Bartok Concerto for Orchestra› April 6: Mozart and Mahler› April 27: La Mer

Tonight’s program

* Joan Tower’s “Fanfare for the UnCommon Woman No. 2” (1987)* Richard Strauss’ “Don Juan” (1888)* Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (1900-1901)

With its expressive themes and grandiose orchestration, Richard Strauss’ symphonic poem “Don Juan” is a truly mammoth example of Romantic composition.

Thanks to its technical complexity, Strauss’ symphonic depiction of the legendary Spanish rogue makes frequent appearances at orchestral auditions. What better work to introduce the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s Masterworks concert series than a piece that showcases its members at their best, says conductor Kayoko Dan.