Colorado Symphony presents Best of Beethoven

June 22, 2011 - PRLog -- The Colorado Symphony's "Summer Seasonings at Boettcher Concert Hall presented by PCL" concerts open with the return of "Best of Beethoven" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 8. Summer Seasonings presented by PCL, a trio of concerts showcasing both popular music and composers, also offers the opportunity to dine alfresco on the Galleria before heading indoors to enjoy the concert. "Best of Beethoven" is an encore performance of one of the Colorado Symphony's most popular Inside the Score concerts of the 2010/11 season.

Led by resident conductor Scott O'Neil, "Best of Beethoven" presents an emblematic banquet of Beethoven's greatest works - each introduced by O'Neil in a welcoming and relaxed setting. Delve into Beethoven's world and learn about his "Titan-esque" struggles with the limitations of aristocratic society, the impact of failed love affairs and progressive hearing loss. Enjoy a selection of the greatest delicacies of Beethoven's body of work - his oeuvre - including the powerful Overture to his only ballet, "The Creatures of Prometheus." Highlights of the concert include excerpts from his Ninth Symphony, "Moonlight Sonata," Third Symphony ("Eroica") and more, all peppered with discussion from the stage about the inspiration and impact of these masterworks.

American baritone Robert Gardner returns to "Best of Beethoven" to reprise a movement from "An die ferne geliebte" ("To the Distant Beloved") - Beethoven's sole song cycle. It is considered the first song cycle by a major composer. "An die ferne geliebte" played a unique role in creating the lieder tradition of Romantic songs for singer and piano. (Lieder is a term used for art songs for solo voice and piano. Lied is the German word for song.) Composed in 1816 and said to have been inspired by his "Immortal Beloved" - an unknown lover - it established the 19th-century genre of the Romantic song cycle.

About Robert Gardner
American baritone Robert Gardner has appeared with numerous opera houses and symphony orchestras in the United States, Europe and Asia, including New York City Opera, Washington National Opera, Bavarian National Opera, Aspen Music Festival, Edmonton Opera, the Munich Philharmonic, and the major symphonies of Pittsburgh, Seattle, Dallas and San Diego, as well as Daejeon Symphony in South Korea. Originally from Denver, his opera credits include debuts as Marcello in La Bohème at New York City Opera, Sharpless in "Madama Butterfly," and Zurga in "The Pearl Fishers." He also appeared as Robert Storch in R. Strauss' domestic comedy "Intermezzo" as a guest debut artist for Aspen Music Festival under the baton of David Zinman. Gardner is a featured artist on the 6-CD set of the complete songs of Charles Ives by Naxos Records. He is the 2007 winner of the Lili Boulanger Memorial Award, chosen from five worldwide nominees (chiefly composers, conductors and instrumentalists), and is considered that year's "musician of exceptional talent and integrity." He trained at Yale Opera program of the Yale University School of Music under Richard and Doris Cross and Sherrill Milnes, and participated in young artist programs with Santa Fe Opera, the Bavarian National Opera in Munich, and the Steans Institute for Young Artists at Ravinia in Chicago. Garndner is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors and has choreographed safe yet effective stage conflicts professionally. He is a professional animal trainer in his spare time.



BEST OF BEETHOVEN: SUMMER SEASONINGS DINING MENU
This Summer Seasonings concert presented by PCL offers preconcert fine dining on the Galleria and the chance to enjoy dinner while soaking in the rays of the setting sun, just before making the short walk indoors to Boettcher Concert Hall. The dining option is $50 per person and includes a three-course meal and a glass of champagne, coffee or tea. Patrons can make reservations today at www.coloradosymphony.org.

Live outdoor musical performances and bar service will begin at 5:00 p.m., and dinner service will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. Patrons will need to arrive for dinner by 5:15 p.m. for seating.

Strawberry Fields Salad
Fresh crisp mixed greens, sliced strawberries, blackberries and raspberries with crumbled goat cheese, spiced pecans and cornbread croutons, strawberry and white balsamic vinaigrette

Wildflower Honey and Balsamic Chicken
French cut breast of chicken marinated with wild flower honey and balsamic vinegar presented with stone fruit salsa, tri-color cous cous pilaf and fresh seasonal vegetables
OR
Orange Glazed Salmon
Citrus and chive marinated salmon presented with orange cranberry glaze, wild rice pilaf and fresh vegetable medley

Tiramisu Parfait
Espresso, mascarpone, chocolate and lady fingers



Artists:
Colorado Symphony
Scott O'Neil, resident conductor
Robert Gardner, baritone

Program:
BEETHOVEN
Overture to "The Creatures of Prometheus"
Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 26, Finale: Allegro molto
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor, Op. 27, "Moonlight"
First Movement: Adagio sostenuto
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, "Eroica," Finale: Allegro molto
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, First Movement: Allegro con brio
"An die ferne geliebte"
First Movement: "Auf dem Hügel sitz ich spähend"
String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135
Finale: Grave ma non troppo tratto - Allegro
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Finale (excerpt)

Performance:
7:30 p.m. Friday, July 8, 2011

Location:
Boettcher Concert Hall

Tickets:
Concert tickets currently start from $15, and alfresco dining is available for $50. Tickets for both the concert and dining are for sale at the Colorado Symphony Box Office at www.coloradosymphony.org, by calling (303) 623-7876 or (877) 292-7979, or in-person in the lobby of Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Media Contact
Margaret A. Williams
Office: 303.308.2472
mwilliams@coloradosymphony.org

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Originally established in 1989 as the successor to the Denver Symphony, the Colorado Symphony performs in Boettcher Concert Hall and throughout the Front Range, presenting outstanding education and outreach programs, as well as Masterworks, Pops, Holiday, Family, and the exciting new "Inside the Score" series that has attracted a historic level of first-time concertgoers. By presenting music that is both timeless and inspiring, while taking risks with new musical collaborations and interactive concerts, the Colorado Symphony is attracting more diverse and younger audiences than ever before. To date, 30 percent of the 2010/11 season concertgoers are new patrons. The increasing popularity of Colorado Symphony concerts as well as a strong fund-raising base not only re-affirms the artistic excellence of the orchestra, but also reflects the deep-rooted enthusiasm for symphonic music felt by so many individuals across the region. For more information, visit www.coloradosymphony.org.