This Spring, the Canton Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the music and life of Ludwig Van Beethoven with a two month festival. Throughout March and April 2015 the legendary composer will be the focus throughout Canton with four orchestra concerts in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, a chamber concert performed by the Canton Symphony String Trio, two ConverZations programs at the Zimmermann Symphony Center and several films showing at the historic Canton Palace Theatre.
The festival centers around four orchestral concerts, on March 28th-29th and April 25th-26th featuring acclaimed pianist André Watts performing all five of Beethoven's piano concerti. Watts, who is in his final year of a three-year residency with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, will also perform Beethoven's Choral Fantasy on the final concert of the festival along with the Canton Symphony Chorus, the University of Mount Union Concert Choir and the Walsh University Chamber Singers. Throughout the four concert series, the orchestra will perform other works by Beethoven such as Coriolan Overture, Contradances, and Musik zu einem Ritterballett. The finale to the festival will be Symphony No. 9 "Ode to Joy". Tickets for the orchestral concerts range from $25-45 for single tickets, and $80-160 for a Festival subscription.To kick off the festival, the orchestra is hosting a "Rock the 5th" pub crawl in downtown Canton on March 5. The crawl is themed around Beethoven's very famous 5th symphony. Five locations in downtown Canton will be hosts for the evening - Bender's Tavern, Picciano's Martini Lounge, Conestoga Grill, Tapas 218, and George's Lounge. "Crawlers" will have the opportunity to purchase specialty appetizers and drinks for $5 at each location and musicians from the Canton Symphony Orchestra will provide entertainment. Special appearances by "Beethoven" himself will signal giveaways and added fun!In keeping with the theme, the Palace will also present the family films Beethovenand Beethoven's 2nd as the free First Friday offerings in March and April. These films follow the antics of a St. Bernard named after the composer, and his family, the Newtons.
For a complete schedule of the events in the Beethoven Festival call the Canton Symphony Orchestra box office at 330-452-2094 or visit http://cantonsymphony.org/beethoven-festival.Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain residents of Stark County and beyond. The orchestra performs classical, holiday, and a variety of educational programs in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio, as well as other venues in Stark County. For more information, please visit www.cantonsymphony.org or call (330)452-2094. Administrative offices are located at 2331 17th Street NW, Canton OH 44708.Videos