Symphonic Celebrations closes the Spokane Symphony classics series

May 6, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 464-7071

SPOKANE – As a 20-year-old soldier in East Berlin, Eckart Preu heard and felt the impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall always remembered by the celebratory chorus from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Now, almost 20 years later, he will share the passion he feels for the music that marks the event that changed his life forever as he conducts Beethoven’s Ninth with the Spokane Symphony and the Spokane Symphony Chorale.

The Classics season finale celebration on May 9 at 8 p.m. and May 10 at 3 p.m. at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox will not only feature Beethoven’s famous symphony but also Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny), by Johannes Brahms. This is a short, powerful work for choir and orchestra. Friedrich Hölderlin’s poem “Hyperions Schicksalslied” provides the text for one of Brahms’ most original and profound compositions. Beginning with expressively scored woodwind chords, Brahms blissfully depicts the ethereal peace and calm of heavenly beings. The second part is violently agitated, and graphically portrays the tormented human condition. From the very first measure, Schicksalslied arrests the audience’s attention.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 can be called “the ultimate Symphony.” As Michael Bakunin stated, “Everything will pass, and the world will perish but the Ninth Symphony will remain.” Musically, no other piece in history has had a greater impact on later composers. Heard in Olympic ceremonies, Tiananmen Square in Beijing, and during the fall of the Berlin Wall, its themes of freedom and brotherhood have inspired millions of people all over the world. Totally deaf by the time he completed the symphony, this work stands as a testament to Beethoven’s genius as a composer. As an anonymous review of the work’s premiere stated, “Beethoven's inexhaustible genius had shown us a new world, revealing the magical secrets of a holy art that we had never before heard or imagined!"

Soloists are Mary Dunleavy, soprano; Lucille Beer, mezzo-soprano; Eric Fenton, tenor; and Richard Zeller, baritone.

The Spokane Symphony Chorale was established in 1955 as a volunteer organization and has been an official entity of the Spokane Symphony since 1978. Dr. Lori Wiest, an Associate Professor of Music at Washington State University in Pullman, who has been the director of the chorale since 1998 will be retiring at the end if these concerts.  The chorale enjoys a dedicated volunteer base of more than 80 singers from the Spokane area; including many who commute from Coeur d’Alene, Davenport, Sandpoint, and Pullman to participate in the over 100 hours of volunteer rehearsal and performance time for each season.

This concert is underwritten by an Anonymous Donor for the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

Tickets on Saturday are $27, $37, $45, and $49. Tickets on Sunday are $23, $33, $41, and $45. Tickets are available in advance at the Spokane Symphony Ticket office, 1001 W. Sprague, or by calling 509-624-1200. Tickets are also available at all TicketsWest outlets or by calling 1-800-325-SEAT, or at spokanesymphony.org.

CALENDAR LISTING:

Symphonic Celebration Classics Concert; Eckart Preu conducts the Spokane Symphony; Spokane Symphony Chorale; May 9 at 8 pm and May 10 at 3 pm in the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. Tickets are $23 to $49; call the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at (509) 624-1200; tickets are also available at www.spokanesymphony.org and through all TicketsWest outlets or by calling 325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT.