Tchaikovsky: Marche Slave
Rococo Variations 
Joshua Roman, Cello

"Theme and Variations" from Orchestral Suite No. 3

Symphony No. 6  "Pathetique"

This is an opportunity for listeners to immerse themselves in the life and works of Russia's most romantic and best-loved composer.  It is also a chance to hear the newest American cello sensation, Joshua Roman, in one of his first East Coast orchestral appearances. The concert features some of Tchaikovsky's most famous masterpieces, notably his final major orchestral work, the Symphony No. 6 "Pathetique."  This valedictory work was completed and performed shortly before Tchaikovsky's untimely death.  The Symphony is Tchaikovsky's most autobiographical, masterful and ambitious orchestral work, traversing the whole panoply of experience from the dark struggle of the first movement, through the wistful grace of the second and the ecstatic affirmation of the third, to a heart-wrenchingly beautiful and touching depiction of leave-taking, bidding farewell to life, in the finale.   Also, the program features a piece that was the composer's calling card and number one hit in his life-time, the Theme and Variations from his Orchestral Suite No. 1, an absolute breath-taking virtuosic tour-de-force which he performed all over Europe, but which is surprisingly unknown today.   Marche Slave and the exquisite Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra fill out the program.  The soloist is Joshua Roman, who recently retired at the age of 23 from his position as Principal Cellist of the Seattle Symphony so he could pursue his busy solo career.  He is a titan of the instrument and is just becoming internationally known, so this is a fine opportunity for the ASO public to hear him early in his career.