It's the jubilant versus the dramatic this Tuesday night in Eisenhower Auditorium as the Nittany Valley Symphony (NVS) performs Beethoven & Brahms, a classical presentation of two of the artists' contrasting musical masterpieces, Ludwig von Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 and Johannes Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2.

Karen Struble, NVS executive director, said Tuesday's performance is one that highlights the best of both composers' works.

"It's easy to see the impact both have had on classical music," Struble said. "And though the pieces are different, they really work as good complements to one another."

The difference in these two pieces is apparent not only in musical style, but also in their length.

While Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 is one of his shorter and more lighthearted pieces, Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 is as dramatic as it is long, spanning four movements as compared to the usual concerto three.

Steven Smith, a Penn State professor and solo pianist for Tuesday's performance, said he's been familiar with Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 for almost 40 years, and has grown to love it.

"As a concerto soloist, this is the thing that we go to school to do," Smith said. "Performing something like this is the biggest thrill we have."

Though the piece is a challenge to perform, Smith said it's Brahms' romantic and rich writing style that makes his Concerto No. 2 such an outstanding piece.

"Brahms was a great composer, both as a romantic artist and passionate writer," Smith said. "He's considered a champion among folks who've also loved the work of Beethoven."

While Concerto No. 2 is considered one of Brahms' most complicated and brilliant pieces, Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 is still seen as one of the most popular standouts.

Smith Toulson, NVS assistant director and principal clarinetist, said this particular Beethoven symphony represents the composer at his most playful and energetic.

"There's a particular amount of vigorous string writing in this piece that you could almost compare it to a NASCAR race," Toulson said.

Symphony No. 8's lightheartedness may seem surprising when compared to the more dramatic symphonies Beethoven has composed, but Struble said this difference reflects the composer's tendency toward manic depression.

"Beethoven wrote many of his symphonies at the same time, so the changes between them represent his different mood swings," Struble said.

"For example, his even-numbered symphonies tend to be jubilant, whereas his odd-numbered ones are more powerful," she added.

Despite whatever emotions happened to fuel these two classical masterpieces, Toulson said that, like Smith, he's always honored to perform such popular pieces as these.

"As a professional, it's always great to play both of these pieces," Toulson said.