A2SO to Perform Beethoven Festival with Garrick Ohlsson, 9/19

"Beethoven the powerhouse, the Matterhorn of ideals, the scorner of fate has become Beethoven the exquisite poet and the muse of fragrant dreams" in this festive opening
night. Beethoven's personality is writ large throughout the concert - a defining symphony, a dramatic concerto played by Garrick Ohlsson, one of the world's favorite soloists, and a choral work that epitomizes Love and Strength, sung by the Choral Union and piano soloist Garrick Ohlsson.

The orchestra will be led by Music Director and Conductor Arie Lipsky in Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 "Eroica," the Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, as well as Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra Op. 8- "Choral Fantasy" all performed in the historic Hill Auditorium.

The A2SO invites you to experience first-hand, the award-winning command of pianist Garrick Ohlsson. Ohlsson is especially noted for his skill in performances of Beethoven's work. He was the first American to win 1st Prize in the International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition. He also received a Grammy award in 2008, further proving himself to be a "musician of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess." The pairing of both Piano Concerto and the Choral Fantasy will give audiences a double treat because both pieces will feature piano soloist Ohlsson.

Beginning at the age of 8, Ohlsson started his studies at the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains and began studying at the Julliard School at the age of 13. Ohlsson's extreme talents from a young age spurred his desire to perform and have continued to benefit him through worldwide recognition of his talents. A longtime lover of Ann Arbor, Ohlsson received the University Musical Society Distinguished Artist Award in 1998.

The Grammy-award winning UMS Choral Union is also featured in the Beethoven Festival, prepared by the newly appointed Music Director and Conductor Scott Hanoian. The Choral Union is known especially for its "definitive performances of large-scale works for chorus and orchestra." Most recently the Choral Union was nominated for a 2015 Grammy Award in the category "Best Opera Recording" for its Naxos recoding of Milhaud's L'Orestie d'Eschyle.

The Beethoven Festival is made possible through the sponsorship by the U-M Frankel Cardiovascular, Depression, Kellogg Eye, and Transplant Centers with support from the MCACA and the NEA. Garrick Ohlsson's appearance is made possible with support from Nancy and Randall Faber and the Faber Piano Instititute, David and Phyllis Herzig, and Gil Omenn and Martha Darling.

Join us for a special night at Hill Auditorium with your Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are available online at a2so.com, by emailing tickets@a2so.com, or by calling (734) 994-4801. Single tickets range from $17 to $73. Student, Senior, and Group discounts are available.

To post a comment, you must register and login.