From simple beauty to dazzling grandeur, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor” requires extreme virtuosity from its soloist, making it an ideal centerpiece for Pacific Symphony’s upcoming concert, “Beethoven’s ‘Emperor.’”
Pianist Barry Douglas, gold medal winner at the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, travels from Ireland to tackle this famous concerto under the direction of Grammy-winning guest conductor John Nelson.
Nelson, a Costa Rican native, also leads the orchestra in a performance of Schumann’s alternately broody and ebullient Symphony No. 2 in C Major, which was premiered in October 1846 under the direction of another well-known composer, Felix Mendelssohn. The Symphony opens the concert with Carl Maria von Weber’s imaginative Overture to “Oberon,” an opera of magic and elves.
Taking place Thursday through Saturday, May 7-9, at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, this concert continues the 2014-15 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series. Tickets are $25-$99. A preview talk with Alan Chapman begins at 7 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
Janelle Kruly
Public Relations Associate
Pacific Symphony
3631 S. Harbor Blvd. Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Direct: 714/ 876-2385 │Tickets: 714/ 755-5799
