The Santa Cruz County Symphony Presents “Ode to Joy” on April 30 & May 1 Featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 With the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus & Featured Soloists
The Symphony’s 53rd season, led by Maestro Larry Granger, concludes with what may be the most recognized of all symphonic works: Ludwig Von Beethoven’s majestic Symphony No. 9. In a time-honored annual tradition, the concert will be performed in collaboration with the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, directed by Cheryl Anderson. “Ode to Joy” is presented Saturday, April 30th at 8 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium and Sunday, May 1st at 2 p.m. at Watsonville’s Mello Center.
Symphony No. 9, Beethoven’s last completed symphony, is remarkable for many reasons. Written when the musical giant was profoundly deaf, only three years before his death, it also represents the earliest example of a composer incorporating voices to create a choral symphony.
Although now widely regarded as one of the most outstanding pieces of music in history, this extraordinary symphonic work was not always appreciated. Beethoven received thunderous applause at the conclusion of the 1924 Vienna premiere; but critics of the symphony’s first London performance harshly criticized the innovative final movement, deriding it as eccentric and shocking. The dramatic finale is set to the text of Friedrich Schiller’s poem “An die Freude” (“Ode to Joy”), a paean to enlightenment incorporating a full symphonic chorus and four featured soloists.
The concert’s vocal soloists are renowned for their outstanding operatic and symphonic backgrounds. Anja Strauss, soprano, has sung in numerous operas and sacred music concerts around the world, including performing Mozart’s Requiem for the September 11 Commemoration at Lincoln Center. Jennifer Hines, alto, has had an extensive association with the esteemed New York City Opera and Metropolitan Opera. Scott Ramsey, tenor, is highly regarded by opera companies and symphony orchestras across the U.S. and abroad for his dynamic performances. Eugene Brancoveanu, baritone, has also held a prestigious appointment as an Adler Fellow at San Francisco Opera for two seasons, in addition to earning critical acclaim worldwide.
Uplifting, thrilling and monumentally inspiring, Symphony No. 9 is a remarkable work to experience in concert. Both the music and the final movement’s text represent a tribute to universal brotherhood and to the triumph of peace – providing, as Maestro Granger comments, “a particular and profound message at this time when there is unrest and fighting all over the world.”
Tickets are now on sale for the Symphony’s upcoming season: October 1, 2011 – May 13, 2012.
FREE PRE-CONCERT TALKS take place before both performances: at 7 PM in the Civic Auditorium, prior to the Saturday evening concert; and at 1 PM in the Watsonville Mello Center, prior to the Sunday matinee concert. The Pre-concert talks are free and open to all concertgoers.
SEASON SPONSORS: The 2010/11 season is generously sponsored by Rowland & Pat Rebele; the Glenwood Equestrian Center; the Symphony League of Santa Cruz County; and Plantronics.
CONCERT SPONSORS: The “Ode to Joy” concerts are made possible with support from & Pat Rebele and David E. Davis.
TICKETS: Single tickets ($20-$65) are now on sale: 831.420.5260 or www.santacruztickets.com 2011/12 Symphony Season Tickets are now available.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYMPHONY: Visit www.santacruzsymphony.org
Student Rush: On the day of the concert, bring a Student ID to the box office between 6:30-7:30pm at the Civic Box Office or to the Mello Box Office between 12:30-1:00, and pay just $10!