Orchestral Excerpt Insights: Horton Plays Brahms

Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 is a staple of orchestral repertoire that shows up on many audition excerpt lists and concert programs. For CSO Assistant Principal Bass Alex Horton, the process of practicing this time-honored piece is a blend of refining fundamentals and seeking an interpretive point of view. “Perfection is not the goal of your preparation,” says Horton. “We want to keep getting better, we want to keep learning and keep figuring out how to play the best we can. But it’s really important to present a compelling musical performance more so than achieve perfection.” Tickets and more info: https://cso.org Facebook:   / chicagosymphony   Instagram:   / chicagosymphony   X: https://x.com/chicagosymphony TikTok:   / chicagosymphony