Monmouth Symphony Presents German Romantic Music

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra will present a “Deutsche Romantik,” an afternoon of 19th century German Romantic music, on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 3 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank.

Gern Nowaczyk

Led by the MSO’s assistant conductor Lucian Rinando, the program will begin with Johannes Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture,” written in 1880 as a musical “thank you” for the University of Breslau, which had awarded the composer an honorary doctorate in the previous year. The program continues with German-born pianist Gerd Nowaczyk in his debut with the MSO, performing Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto. The concerto was written in 1845 for Schumann’s wife, Clara, who was the love of his life and one of the most distinguished pianists of the 19th century. The concert will conclude with Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, a serene and pastoral work.
Both Nowaczyk and Rinando are longtime instructors at the Monmouth Conservatory of Music in Red Bank.
Prior to the performance, Monmouth Symphony Orchestra bass trombonist and program annotator, Tom Avakian, will interview soloist Gerd Nowaczyk in the theatre at 2:15 p.m.
Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $5 for students. Call the Count Basie Theatre box office, (732) 842-9000 to purchase or order online at www.countbasietheatre.org.