CSO to Conclude Season with Set of Beethoven Concerts, 4/25

CANTON, OHIO (April 7, 2015) - The Canton Symphony Orchestra's (CSO) Beethoven Festival culminates with two final concerts on April 25 and 26 with acclaimed pianist André Watts. On Saturday April 25 at 8:00pm Mr. Watts will perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 and Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor". On Sunday April 26 at 7:30pm, he will perform the Choral Fantasy along with a combined chorus. The chorus and orchestra bring the festival to a climactic close with Beethoven's majestic Symphony No. 9 "Ode to Joy". Both concerts will be performed at Umstattd Performing Arts Hall (2323 17th Street NW, Canton). CSO Music Director Gerhardt Zimmermann will conduct.

The Festival celebrating the life and music of the beloved composer, began in March and has included movies, lectures, and chamber concerts. The center of the festival has been the full orchestra performances with Watts performing all 5 Beethoven piano concerti over the course of the 4 concerts. "To have one person perform two concerti in one night is pretty incredible," says Michelle Mullaly, CSO Executive Director, "and to have that one person be André Watts is absolutely fantastic!"

A combined chorus under the direction of Dr. Britt Cooper will join Watts and the CSO for the final concert on April 26. The chorus is made up of members of the Canton Symphony Chorus, University of Mount Union Concert Choir, and Walsh University Chamber Singers. Six vocal soloists will also be featured. They are soprano Rachel Hall, soprano Maribeth Crawford, mezzo-soprano Kathryn Findlen, tenor Timothy Culver, baritone Britt Cooper, and bass Nathan Stark.

Tickets for the concerts start at $25. There are senior, student and group discounts available. Dress is casual and the concerts are appropriate for ages 8 and older. Tickets and a full schedule of Beethoven Festival events are available at www.cantonsymphony.org/beethoven-festival, by calling 330-452-2094, at the Zimmermann Symphony Center - 2331 17th Street NW in Canton - weekdays from 9am to 5pm or at the Umstattd Performing Arts Hall box office beginning one hour before the performances.

Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain. Under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmermann, the orchestra performs classical, pops, holiday, and educational programs. Most performances are in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio (at McKinley High School across from C.T. Branin Natatorium). Parking at McKinley High School is free. For more information, please visit www.CantonSymphony.org.