The Colorado Symphony’s 2014-15 season starts with a bang on Thursday, as the orchestra performs Beethoven’s epic Ninth Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall.
To help listeners connect with what may be the greatest symphony ever written, Litton talked with CPR Classical about what makes the piece remarkable and why it’s a great season opener.
"It's a very optimistic, upbeat way to open a season," he said. "And it's sort of a rallying cry: This is going to be a great year for us."
The Colorado Symphony Chorus will perform the symphony’s choral parts. The chorus also performed the symphony at Bravo! Vail and Aspen Music Festival this summer as part of its 30th anniversary celebration.
The program, which also includes Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra, repeats Friday at Boettcher -- a venue whose future has been at the center of some intense discussions lately. Featured soloists for the concerts are Jeffrey Biegel, piano; Rachel Nicholls, soprano; Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano; John Mac Master, tenor; and Kevin Deas, bass-baritone.
Hear O'Connor, who gives her 25th performance of the Ninth Symphony this weekend, talk about the thrill and challenge of playing the piece:
And listen to Biegel explain the power of the Choral Fantasy, and why it works well with Symphony No. 9:
Read more about how symphony leaders designed the upcoming season to reach new audiences, and see which six concerts will be broadcast live on CPR Classical.
