Classical Music Spotlight: Spano Conducts Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2

This concert wouldn’t have been possible if John Adams and Sergei Rachmaninoff hadn’t each suffered writer’s block at a key moment in his career. 

The poor premiere of his First Symphony put Rachmaninoff in a slump. The composer tried to focus on piano performance, but his copious alcohol consumption got in the way. Hypnosis helped Rachmaninoff shake off his demons, and the result is the stirring Second Piano Concerto.

At the end of his time as composer in residence with the San Francisco Symphony, Adams faced his own writer’s block. It ended after he dreamed he was driving over the San Francisco Bay Bridge when he saw a tanker enter the bay and ascend into the sky. Adams’ dream was the inspiration for “Harmonielehre,” a symphony in everything but name.

Leading the Seattle Symphony in this concert will be the Atlanta Symphony’s Robert Spano, a proponent of American music ever since his days with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and one of a handful of American conductors actively promoting Adams’ modern masterpiece in the concert hall. — ZACH CARSTENSEN

Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206.215.4747

Buy tickets and listen to preview audio clips on the Seattle Symphony's Web site.