Overview
A program of great and satisfying music for the Thanksgiving Weekend. Hailed as “one of a half-dozen pianists worth dropping everything to hear” (London Daily Telegraph), Louis Lortie returns to Severance Hall to play Chopin's effervescent Second Piano Concerto. Hear for yourself why the Financial Times proclaims that "better Chopin playing than this is not to be heard, not anywhere." The program under guest conductor Jaap van Zweden concludes with Rachmaninoff's grand Second Symphony, filled with sweeping melodies, lush harmonies, and inspired lyrical passages.
At a Glance
CHOPIN - Piano Concerto No. 2
RACHMANINOFF - Symphony No. 2
Louis Lortie's appearance with The Cleveland Orchestra
is made possible by a gift to the Orchestra's Guest Artist Fund
from The Gerhard Foundation.
Concert Details
THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
Jaap van Zweden, conductor
Piano Concerto No. 2
in F minor, Opus 21
by Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
1. Maestoso
2. Larghetto
3. Allegro vivace
with Louis Lortie, piano
INTERMISSION
Symphony No. 2
in E minor, Opus 27
by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
1. Largo — Allegro moderato
2. Allegro molto
3. Adagio
4. Allegro vivace
The evening concerts will end at about 9:50 p.m.
and Sunday afternoon's concert at 4:50 p.m.
Pre-Concert Talk
Free Concert Preview:
"Ebony, Ivory, and Melody: Pianist-Composers as Lyrical Poets"
with guest speaker Eric Charnofsky,
instructor, musicology and keyboard repertory,
Case Western Reserve University
Location:
Reinberger Chamber Hall in Severance Hall
Concert Previews are free to all ticketholders. Previews are held prior to every Cleveland Orchestra subscription concert, beginning 1 hour before the performance. This series is funded by a generous endowment gift from Dorothy Humel Hovorka.
Parking
A variety of parking options are available for concerts at Severance Hall, including guaranteed pre-paid parking passes (purchased through the Ticket Office or via this website).
CAMPUS CENTER GARAGE
The Case Western Reserve University Campus Center Garage is located directly adjacent to Severance Hall (parking entrance is off East Boulevard), with stair and elevator access to Severance Hall. Event parking in the Campus Center Garage can be purchased for $10 per vehicle when space permits. However, the garage often fills up well before concert time and only patrons who purchase pre-paid parking passes are ensured a parking space.
Pre-Paid Parking for the Campus Center Garage can be purchased in advance for $14 per concert by calling the Ticket Office or through this website. Pre-paid parking guarantees you a space, but availability of pre-paid parking passes is limited.
HOW TO BUY PARKING
If you are purchasing your tickets via this website, there is an opportunity after you have put seats into the checkout cart when you can select the “Find Parking” button.
Alternatively, if you have already purchased tickets, you can purchase pre-paid parking online through the concert Event Calendar. Above the calendar, check the box “for ticket holders who wish to purchase tickets only” under Select a Type of Event. The calendar will then show available parking.
Parking can also be purchased through the Ticket Office by calling 216-231-1111.
Limited additional event parking is available in the Case Western Reserve University Lot 1 off Euclid Avenue across from Severance Hall, or at the University Circle Lot 13A on Adelbert Road, and at the Cleveland Botanical Garden parking garage on East Boulevard. Space at these lots may be particularly limited during weekday daytime hours. Some on-street parking is also available, but often fills up well before curtain time.
PARKING MAP
For a printable map of parking areas surrounding Severance Hall,
click here.
Severance Restaurant
Severance Restaurant at Severance Hall features contemporary American cuisine in an elegant setting and is perfect for a quick bite or leisurely dinner before the concert.
The restaurant, operated by Cleveland’s own Sammy’s, is located on the street level of Severance Hall along East Boulevard. A pre-concert dinner buffet begins up to three hours before each Cleveland Orchestra evening concert.
Reservations are advised.
For dinner reservations,
please call 216-231-7373 anytime or reserve online.
MENU
View a sample pre-concert evening buffet menu.
About the Music

Commentary and historical background about the music are printed in program books distributed free-of-charge at most Cleveland Orchestra concerts. The program notes are usually available on-line ahead of time.
Follow this link to read the Week 8 program book for this concert.