When: Fri., March 10, 8 p.m. and Sat., March 11, 8 p.m. 2017
Is Richard Strauss' An Alpine Symphony the last of his tone poems or the apex of his symphonic work? Both arguments have their merits, but the truth is that the symphony is a corker no matter your point of view. In roughly 50 minutes, Strauss recreates an eleven-hour journey to the top of a mountain and back down again, bookended by the first moments of the day and the first moments of darkness and quiet after sunset. The only thing that could improve this piece would be beer and pretzels, and guess what? This weekend's performance of An Alpine Symphony by the St. Louis Symphony comes with complimentary beer from Urban Chestnut Brewing Company and pretzels courtesy of Companion Bakery. Ausgezeichnet, nicht wahr? Guest conductor Stéphane Denève leads the symphony through An Alpine Symphony and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (March 10 and 11) at Powell Hall (718 North Grand Boulevard; www.slso.org). Tickets are $25 to $81.50.