International classics

People who made a New Year’s resolution to listen to more classical music will have a perfect opportunity tonight, when the Pacific Symphony debuts an Eastern European-themed program at Segerstrom Hall.

Guests artists include conductor Carlos Kalmar and pianist Freddy Kempf.

Born to two Austrians in Uruguay, Kalmar has performed around the world. He is the music director of the Oregon Symphony Orchestra and the principal conductor of the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago.

British pianist Kempf rose to fame as a child prodigy when he performed one of Mozart’s piano concertos onstage with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the ripe age of 8. Now in his early 30s, Kempf is recognized globally for his talent.

Each evening will begin with a free preview talk by host Alan Chapman at 7. After each concert, organist Lori Loftus will perform a postlude.

The Eastern European-themed program will include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Prague” Symphony and the Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, emblematic of the difficult, yet stunning, compositions of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt — considered the greatest pianist of his day.

The piece is one of Liszt’s early attempts at composing for orchestra, and features the exploration of his “transformation” technique, in which a musical theme is revisited while its rhythm, tempo or other characteristics are dramatically altered.

Also included are Czech composer Leoif $Capital { return “Š” } else { return “š” } Janáèek’s “Taras Bulba” rhapsody, composed in 1918, in honor of the armed militia, and George Enescu’s “Rumanian Rhapsody No. 1.”

Both called their pieces rhapsodies, but “Taras Bulba” is a darkly moody piece in honor of the titular Cossack warrior, the focus of a Gogol novel. The “Rumanian Rhapsody,” by contrast, is a lilting celebration of that country’s folk dance history, written by a prodigy violinist. They are said to be inspired by Enescu’s first violin teacher, a Gypsy fiddler known as Squinting Nick.

IF YOU GO

WHO: The Pacific Symphony, with guest conductor Carlos Kalmar and guest pianist Freddy Kempf

WHAT: “Brilliant Mozart, Dazzling Liszt”

WHEN: 8 p.m., today till Saturday; pre-performance talk at 7 nightly

WHERE: Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

COST: $26 to $185

INFORMATION: (714) 755-5799 or pacificsymphony.org

CANDICE BAKER may be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at [email protected].