Spokane Symphony explores the work of two geneius

Nov 12, 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 326-3136

SPOKANE—The Spokane Symphony, lead by Music Director Eckart Preu, will explore the music of Franz Schubert as well as that of the composer he revered above all others –  Ludwig van Beethoven –  at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 8 pm and again on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 3 pm.  The program will include Schubert’s last and greatest completed symphony (Symphony No. 9), but also fragments of the symphony that might have succeeded it if he had only lived a little longer, as “transcribed” by Luciano Berio in Rendering. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor will be performed by pianist Norman Krieger.

A native of Los Angeles, Krieger is one of the most acclaimed pianists of his generation, highly regarded as an artist of depth, sensitivity and virtuosic flair. Krieger thrilled Spokane audiences when he appeared with the Spokane Symphony three years ago performing Gershwin’sPiano Concerto in F.Krieger regularly appears with symphonies across the nation and has performed throughout the world.  He is a champion at contemporary music, has four recordings available and has been the recipient of many awards and recognitions, such as Paderewski Foundation Award and the Bruce Hungerford Memorial Prize.

Ironically, this concert about early nineteenth century masters begins with a piece entitled Rendering, written by twentieth century Italian composer Luciano Berio as an expression of his love for Franz Schubert. Schubert died at the young age of 31, while he was in the midst of composing his 10th symphony, and his notes for the symphony were not discovered until the early 20th century. Berio orchestrated these fragments of music, connecting them together with sections of music more in keeping with his own avant garde style. Rendering gives us a glimpse into Schubert final development as a composer and underscores the loss caused by his early death.   

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 marked the composer’s independence as a composer, transitioning from his early style as a young composer, to his second, more confident heroic style, epitomized by his “Eroica” symphony. The concerto begins with a strong, memorable theme, introduced and developed by the orchestra before the soloist makes his dramatic entrance. This is followed by an elegant slow movement, in which the pianist plays a rhapsodic melody that prefigures the work of Romanic composers. Finally, the concerto concludes with a playful rondo, ending with “comic opera” finish.

The concert will conclude with Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 “The Great,” which was his last completed symphony. Schubert, who died less than two years after Beethoven, virtually worshipped the composer’s work, and faithfully attended all his concerts. It was after hearing Beethoven’s inspiring Ninth Symphony that Schubert determined to write a “grand” symphony in a similar style; the result is “The Great” Symphony, arguably his best work. It was written on an epic scale worthy of Beethoven’s nine, but was “like no other symphony before or since: in its orchestral sound, its uniquely Schubertian combination of dramatic energy with wistful lyricism, and its uncanny ability to inspire in the listener both awe and love.”

This concert has been underwritten by The Johnston-Fix Foundation; William and Harriet Fix.

Tickets on Saturday are $22, $32, $40, and $44. Tickets on Sunday are $18, $28, $36, and $41. 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.