Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “The Rock” is a stirring symphonic poem inspired by Anton Chekhov’s short story, “Along the Way”. The story is of a girl stopping on a snowy Christmas evening at a wayside inn. While the driver changes horses, the girl talks with an old man, who shares the story of his life—his beliefs, regrets, and failures. She compassionately listens to his story. When he tells her he’s off to work in the coal mines, she becomes upset, fearing for his life. Outside the inn, the old man stands still while the snow falls on his head, his shoulders, his beard. Watching the sleigh pull away in the snowstorm, he stands still, like a rock.

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 features Maria Garcia as soloist. Beethoven’s unique orchestration, and his unexpected harmonic resolutions make this an extraordinary musical story. It is as though Beethoven had one foot planted in the past and the other stepping forward, toward the early Romantic composer he became. Maria Garcia, as guest artist, brings her virtuosic talent to this wonderful Concerto. 2022/23 All Classical Portland’s Artist-in Residence, Garcia has played with many ensembles around the world.

Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 in E Minor is often compared to Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, “From the New World.” Sadly, after her death in 1953, Price’s music was neglected until 2009, when dozens of unknown compositions were discovered in a small house near St. Anne, Illinois, about 60 miles south of Chicago. It had been Price’s summer home. This find sparked a revival of interest in Price’s music, as well as that of other African American women and men writing between the world wars. This Symphony is a delightful path of heartwarming themes with difficult, chromatic sections and two rousing, foot tapping final movements that accelerate breathlessly like whirling dancers out the door.