“We were so fortunate to have pianist Emanuel Ax perform the Brahms ‘Piano Concerto No. 2’ with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra several years ago and we are thrilled that he is joining us once again,” says Diane Wittry, ASO music director and conductor.

Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s “Emanuel Ax Plays Beethoven” concerts are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14; and 2 p.m. Feb. 15, at Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

The concert opens with Ludwig van Beethoven’s three-movement virtuosic “Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37.”

Says Wittry: “I would characterize the first movement as weighty in length and theme, the second movement as haunting and the third as rhapsodical and humorous. Unfortunately, at that time, he (Beethoven) was also going through a period of deafness.”

An interesting anecdote holds that at the work’s premiere, the musical score was incomplete and Beethoven played the solo piano part almost entirely from memory.

The concert’s second-half features Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27,” composed 1906-1907.

“I thoroughly enjoy this work,” says Wittry, “and it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.

“Although the first movement is somewhat brooding and the second movement quite rhythmic, the third movement is like a love song with a beautiful clarinet solo. The fourth movement is fast and reminds me of a tarantella.”

Summing up the concert, Wittry smiles: “With a lush and very melodic symphony plus performance by world-class artist Emanuel Ax, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

Emanuel Ax was born in Lviv, Ukraine, a son of Joachim and Hellen Ax, Nazi concentration camp survivors.

Ax began to study piano at age 6. His father was his first piano teacher.

The family moved to Warsaw, Poland, where he studied piano at the former Miodowa school.

Ax’s family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where was a member of The Junior Musical Club of Winnipeg.

In 1961, the family moved to New York City, and Ax continued his piano studies with Mieczysław Munz of the Juilliard School.

In 1970, Ax received a Bachelor of Arts in French from Columbia University and became a United States citizen. He won the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in 1974.

Ax, 76, is known for his collaborations with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Isaac Stern.

Allentown Symphony Orchestra, “Emanuel Ax Plays Beethoven,” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14; 2 p.m. Feb. 15, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. Free tickets for those 21 and under. Tickets: box office; 610-432-6715; https://millersymphonyhall.org/

Classical View note: I recall interviewing Diane Wittry a few years ago for one of the ASO concerts and casually remarked that she had done so much for the organization artistically as well as raise its standing nationally and internationally, that she can never retire. After a few chuckles, she responded, “Yes, but there’s so much I would like to do for myself, but just don’t have the time.”

Well, Diane has decided to make time and recently announced her final concert with the ASO will be in fall 2027, but will continue to serve as music director through May 2008. She has committed to working closely with the Allentown Symphony Association Board of Directors and staff to ensure a smooth and successful artistic leadership transition.

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com