Spokane Symphony continues New Year tradition of Beethoven’s Ninth

Dec 13, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 464-7071

SPOKANE – Once again, Music Director Eckart Preu will conduct the Spokane Symphony and the Spokane Symphony Chorale in a New Year’s Eve celebration performing the inspirational Ninth Symphony by Beethoven on Dec. 31, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. This is the third New Year’s Eve we will celebrate in the tradition Eckart brought from Germany, due to the outstanding popularity of last year’s celebration.

Spokesman Review correspondent Travis Rivers calls Beethoven’s Ninth “extreme symphony” and praise the way Preu and the performers “rose to meet Ludwig von Beethoven’s extreme challenges in a way that brought as much excitement to this 185-year-old work as when the ink was fresh on its pages.” He also recounts how the “audience responded to this splendid performance with an immediate, well deserved and prolonged standing ovation.” READ FULL REVIEW FROM MAY 10, 2009

Beethoven’s famous symphony, sometimes called “the ultimate Symphony,” has inspired millions of people around the world, with its themes of freedom and brotherhood. Musically, no other piece in history has had a greater impact on later composers.

For Eckart Preu, this music has great personal significance, symbolizing the opportunity of new beginnings after the fall of the Berlin Wall. SEE VIDEO OF INTERVIEW WITH ECKART ABOUT THIS AND OTHER CONCERT DETAILS

Soloists are:
• Heather Parker, soprano – VIEW HER WEBSITE
• Molly McLaughlin, mezzo – VIEW HER BIO (scroll down for McLaughlin's bio)
• Christopher Pfund, tenor – VIEW HIS BIO
• Todd Robinson, bass – VIEW HIS BIO

The Spokane Symphony Chorale was established in 1955 as a volunteer organization and has been an official entity of the Spokane Symphony since 1978. They are under the new musical leadership of Dr Julián Gómez Giraldo, Director of Orchestras at Eastern Washington University. 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. CLICK FOR SPOKANE SYMPHONY CHORALE WEBSITE

Ticket prices for the New Years Eve concert are $22 and $27 and $16 for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased with personalized service at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office, located at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague, or by calling 509-624-1200. Tickets are also available at all TicketsWest outlets or online at spokanesymphony.org.

This concert is underwritten by River Park Square.