ESO to perform Brahms Rachmaninoff with guest Natasha Paremski April 1, 2

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Andrew Grams will perform works by Brahms and Rachmaninoff at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.

Guest artist Natasha Paremski, piano, an ESO audience favorite, returns to perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3, considered one of the most technically challenging piano concertos in the standard classical repertoire.

The program also includes Johannes Brahms' fourth and final symphony, a groundbreaking and important work. Brahms took the traditional classical structures and forms of his musical heroes Bach and Beethoven to new and innovative heights, creating bold and unique combinations while honoring the techniques of earlier periods.

Grams will give a preconcert chat one hour before the concert and Saturday concertgoers are invited after the performance to Mingle with the Musicians at the Elgin Public House.

With her consistently striking and dynamic performances, pianist Paremski reveals astounding virtuosity and voracious interpretive abilities.

She continues to generate excitement from all corners as she wins over audiences with her musical sensibility and flawless technique.

Born in Moscow, Paremski moved to the United-States at the age of 8 and became a U.S. citizen shortly thereafter. She is now based in New York.

Paremski was awarded several very prestigious artist prizes at a very young age, including the Gilmore Young Artists prize in 2006 at the age of 18, the Prix Montblanc in 2007, the Orpheum Stiftung Prize in Switzerland.

In September 2010, she was awarded the Classical Recording Foundation's Young Artist of the Year.

Tickets start at $30 or $10 for students. For concert tickets, call (847) 888-4000 or visit ElginSymphony.org. There is free parking or valet service.