Eckart Preu, Conductor
Tai Murray, Violin
Andrew Duckles, Viola
Cécilia Tsan, Cello
Tchaikovsky & Strauss
Jan 31, 2026 7:30 PM
| Tchaikovsky | Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 |
| Strauss | Don Quixote, Op. 35 |
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In Eckart’s words:
Our third program features two of my favorite composers, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Richard Strauss.
Tchaikovsky didn’t have an easy life. After his failed—actually, disastrous—marriage and subsequent suicide attempt by drowning in the Moscow River, Tchaikovsky’s patron, Nadezhda von Meck, gave the composer money for a holiday. She told him, “Go away, go away from Russia—go to Switzerland and recover your spirits.” And so, he did. On this trip, Tchaikovsky was accompanied by a friend, the violinist Josef Kotek. When they arrived in Switzerland, they had a lot of time to kill, so together, they read through tons of violin music. As a result of this violin immersion, Tchaikovsky decided to write his own violin concerto which he completed in only two weeks. Over time, this Violin Concerto has become one of the great showpieces in the violin repertoire: It has everything—great melodies, technical pyrotechnics, and colorful Russian orchestration—and every time I conduct it, it is a thrill. Our soloist, Tai Murray, has performed all over the world, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, and the LA Phil, she is a recipient of the Sphinx Organization’s Sphinx Medal of Excellence and is an incredible musician and fantastic violinist.
The second half of the program is going to be fantastic. We will play for you one of the greatest tone poems by Richard Strauss, a work inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ famous novel Don Quixote de la Mancha. Strauss, who was a brilliant orchestrator and able to create phenomenal colors with the orchestra, captures the fantastic adventures of this aging knight-errant and his loyal squire, Sancho Panza. The musical imagery you will hear is quite incredible. The antihero, Don Quixote, is portrayed by a solo cello, performed by our own principal cellist, Cécilia Tsan. Don Quixote’s servant, Sancho Panza, is represented by the solo viola, played by our principal violist, Andrew Duckles. (I have to say, it is always such a pleasure to present our own brilliant musicians as soloists.) The tone poem follows the adventures of this pair, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, with Strauss selecting various episodes from the novel. For instance, there is The Adventure of the Windmills, in which Don Quixote charges what he believes to be giants; The Victorious Battle with the Sheep, where the entire orchestra bleeds like sheep; and The Ride Through the Air, where you can literally hear the wind blowing and howling as Don Quixote flies through the sky. It’s an amazing moment in the piece. Don Quixote’s skewed perception of the world—and the clash of his dreams with reality—gives Strauss an opportunity for wonderful ironic effects. You will hear some of the most graphic program music ever written, some of the funniest as well, and some remarkably touching episodes. At its core, it’s a profoundly human story. The music is a remarkable fusion of humor, pathos, virtuosity, lushness and color, and it remains one of Strauss’s most important contributions to the orchestral repertoire.
And imagine—he was only 34 years old when he wrote this. It’s incredible.
Audiences will enjoy the Classical Series fun and elegant evening surrounded by the Terrace Theater’s dazzling fountains and fire pits, prelude ensemble in the lobby, 6:30 PM Pre-Concert Talk to gain greater knowledge regarding the evening programming, and the ability to “Sip & Enjoy” in the concert hall. Doors open at 6PM.
Eckart Preu, Conductor
Eckart Preu (Eck-art Proy) began his tenure as Music Director of Long Beach Symphony in 2017. Critics, the orchestra, and audiences alike have celebrated his ability to combine well-loved masterworks with rare or newer works in programs offering dimension, sophistication, and spirit. Preu also currently serves as …
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Tai Murray, Violin
Described as “superb” by The New York Times, violinist Tai Murray has established herself a musical voice of a generation.“Technically flawless… vivacious and scintillating… It is without doubt that Murray’s style of playing is more mature than that of many seasoned players… " (Muso Magazine) Appreciated …
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Andrew Duckles, Viola
Canadian-born violist Andrew Duckles leads a diverse musical life as a recording artist, soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. From a very tall family of musicians, Andrew is the “runt” of the Duckles family, standing at mere 6’4”. Formerly principal viola of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet orchestras, Duckles now makes …
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Cécilia Tsan, Cello
"Uncompromising musical character and a towering technique… In the breadth of her virtuosity and the charisma of her musical personality, Tsan made this work her own.” - (Daniel Cariaga/L.A. Times/Haydn D Major Cello Concerto) Born in France, Cécilia Tsan began playing the cello with the same …
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