CSO to Perform Beethoven's Fifth at Ohio Theatre, 11/15-16

Arguably the best-known opening theme in all of classical music, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony leads the listener on a thrilling, uplifting, emotional journey. Ilya Gringolts, whom the Financial Times has praised as "one of the most inspirational violinists today," performs Englishman Sir Edward Elgar's expansive, thoroughly romantic violin concerto. Also on the program is the world premiere of Invictus by distinguished composer and OSU graduate, Stephen Montague. Inspired by the dark, poetic force of William Henley's poem, this tone poem is dedicated to Donald Harris, former Dean of the OSU College of the Arts. The entire program will be guest conducted by Thomas Wilkins.

The Columbus Symphony presents Beethoven's Fifth at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) on Friday and Saturday, November 15 and 16, at 8pm. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 228-8600 or (800) 745-3000. The CAPA Ticket Center will also be open two hours prior to each performance. Young people between the ages of 13-25 may purchase $5 PNC Arts Alive All Access tickets while available. For more information, visit www.GoFor5.com.

The 2013-14 Masterworks Series is made possible through the generous support of season sponsors Anne and Noel Melvin.

Thomas Wilkins is Music Director of the Omaha Symphony, a position he has held since 2005. Additionally, he is Principal Guest Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and holds the Germeshausen Family and Youth Concert Conductor chair with the Boston Symphony. Past positions have included Resident Conductor of the Detroit Symphony, the Florida Orchestra (Tampa Bay), and Associate Conductor of the Richmond (VA) Symphony. He also has served on the music faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.