The Southwest Florida Symphony brings the music of Beethoven, Wagner and Mozart to Sanibel’s BIG ARTS on Wednesday, January 11 at 8 p.m. In keeping with the relaxed attitude of the island, this classical chamber orchestra series, conducted by music director Michael Hall, offers superb classical music in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere.
Beethoven’s Overature to the ballet Creatures of Prometheus was composed in 1801 and achieved immediate popular success. The brilliant allegro section is thought to represent Prometheus fleeing from heaven after stealing fire from the gods.
Wagner wrote the symphonic poem Siegfried Idyll as a birthday present for his wife after the birth of their son, Siegfriend, in 1869. It was first performed on Christmas morning on the stairs of their villa. It is a beautiful, intimate and lovingly crafted work for chamber orchestra.
The Piano Concerto No. 17 is one of Mozart’s finest. It features powerful modulations and the finale, a set of variations, is particularly noteworthy.
Pianist Hyojin Ahn leads a multifaceted musical life that has taker her across Europe, the United States, Haiti and her home country of Korea. She has appeared at the Kennedy Center in a performance aired live on NPR nationwide, and has twice extensively toured the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Ms. Ahn was awarded the Presser Music Award with which she studied and toured in France, Italy and Austria. She has won top prizes at several competitions, including the New World Symphony Concerto Competition, the Jacob Flier International Competition, the World Newspaper Piano Competition and the Youth Chamber Music Competition.
A graduate of Seoul National University and the University of Michigan, she earned her doctorate from Rice University. After graduation, she won the keyboard position in the New World Symphony and spent three years playing under music director Michael Tilson Thomas. Currently, she teaches at Barry University in Miami Shores and holds the position of principal keyboard of the Southwest Florida Symphony.
A post-concert discussion will take place after the concert with Michael Hall and musicians. The discussion offers an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and is free to any ticket holder.
Tickets are priced at $36 for adults and $5 for students. The Series of Three Symphony on Sanibel concerts (including January 11, February 22 and March 14) is on sale for $90. For more information, call the Symphony Box Office at 418-0996 or visit www.swflso.org
The symphony on Sanibel Series is sponsored by Bailey’s General Store, Friends of the Symphony on Sanibel-Captiva, the L.A.T. Foundation and ‘Tween Waters Inn.
Island Sun (December 30, 2011)
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