Following an active week of four free youth concerts for 12,000 LBUSD 4th & 5th graders and a Matinee Family concert free to all kids, Long Beach Symphony will perform Beethoven’s Eroica on February 2 at 8:00 PM (Terrace Theater of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.).
The all-classical French-inspired program opens with a lovely and important work by the first classical composer of African ancestry, Josef Boulogne (1739–1799), who was sometimes referred to as the “Black Mozart.” Indeed, the two were acquainted, and in Boulogne’s spirited Overture to L’amant anonyme, it is impossible to miss the stylistic similarities. Boulogne was a man of many interests, among them fencing, and at his prime he was reputed to be the best in Europe! He also conducted the leading symphony orchestra in Paris.
The Symphony will then perform Haydn’s Symphony No. 85, the fourth of his six Paris symphonies. The nickname La Reine for this work arose because it was a favorite of Marie Antoinette, who was Queen of France at that time. Haydn’s music had substantial influence on later composers, including Beethoven, who was his pupil.
Following a brief intermission, it is therefore only fitting to pick up the timeline of this concert with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, Eroica; a work of epic proportion that was inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution. So deep was his admiration that Beethoven originally intended to title it the “Bonaparte Symphony.” However, when Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France, Beethoven became disgusted and renamed it. The work is nonetheless full of heroism and emotion and is perhaps best known for the Funeral March that comprises the second movement. Eroica marks an important landmark in the transition between the Classical and Romantic periods.
Concertgoers may enjoy the pre-concert talk that begins at 7:00 PM. For those who prefer to mix and mingle, there will be music in the lobby and, weather permitting, firepits outdoors on the plaza. Doors open at 6:30 PM and concert starts promptly at 8:00 PM.
Tickets to the concert start at $29 with student tickets available for $10. For more information or to purchase tickets and subscriptions visit www.LongBeachSymphony.org or call 562-436-3203 ext. 1. Tickets are also available on Ticketmaster.com.
The Symphony’s full classical season, which runs through June 2019, will present masterworks of epic proportion, such as Beethoven’s 9th Symphony that ends with vocal soloists and chorus promoting universal brotherhood in the Ode to Joy libretto by Schiller. Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, Jupiter, Handel’s Royal Fireworks Music, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme and works by Sibelius. Additionally, numerous lesser known and more recent composers will add color and nuance to the repertoire. Daniel Bjarnason from Iceland is shaping the future of the classical genre, giving us food for thought in his 2010 composition Bow to String, which will be performed in the Spring.
ABOUT LONG BEACH SYMPHONY
Established in 1935, the Long Beach Symphony marks its 84th season. Each year the Symphony draws over 60,000 people to its six Classical concerts in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Terrace Theater, five POPS! concert events in the Long Beach Arena, as well as its new family concert series and student-only concerts. The Symphony partners with the Long Beach Unified School District to provide over 150 free music education programs throughout the year. Through its comprehensive music education programs—including professional ensembles in elementary and middle schools and the Toyota Youth Concerts program – the Symphony reaches more than 25,000 students annually. For more information, please visit www.LongBeachSymphony.org.
UPCOMING FAMILY CONCERT DETAILS
Concert at 2:00 PM at the Terrace Theater with family activities taking place from 12-2:00 PM & 3-4:00 PM on the plaza.
2.2.19 – Up! Up! And Away!
Eckart Preu, conductor
Daniel Gee, assistant conductor
Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, guest conductor
A musical afternoon with a full symphonic performance celebrating things that fly from bumblebees to birds, kites to magic carpets, dragons to aliens, and superheroes to starships! Enjoy an afternoon of interactive musical activities, sing-alongs, conducting, dancing, and MORE!
Kids 17 and under get in FREE – 18 and over $20
UPCOMING 2018–2019 SEASON DETAILS – Classical Series
All concerts in Terrace Theater of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, Terrace Theater at 8:00 PM.
2.2.19 | BEETHOVEN’S EROICA
Eckart Preu, conductor
Boulogne Overture to L’amant anonyme
Haydn Symphony No. 85 in B-flat major, La Reine
Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, op. 55, Eroica
3.9.19 | NORTHERN LIGHTS
Eckart Preu, conductor | Joshua Roman, cello
Rautavaara Symphony No. 7, Movement 4, Angel of Light
Sibelius Symphony No. 3 in C major, op. 52
Sibelius Finlandia, op. 26
Bjarnason Bow to String, Movements 1 & 3
Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, op. 33
4.29.19 | MOZART’S JUPITER
Eckart Preu, conductor | Simone Porter, violin
Pärt Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten
Mozart Symphony No. 41 in C major, Jupiter
Golijov Sidereus
Korngold Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35
6.8.19 | BEETHOVEN’S NINTH
Eckart Preu, conductor | Long Beach Camerata Singers, chorus
Kala Maxym, soprano | I-Chin Feinblatt, alto | Jason Francisco, tenor | Steve Pence, bass
Handel Royal Fireworks Music
Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, op. 125
UPCOMING 2018–2019 SEASON DETAILS – POPS! Series
All concerts at Long Beach Arena, Pacific Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30 PM for picnicking, concerts begin at 8:00 PM
2.16.19 – Tango Caliente!
Robert Istad, conductor | Camille Zamora, soprano | Hector del Curto, bandoneónTomas Galván & Gimena Herrera, tango dancers
Star soprano Camille Zamora joins Long Beach Symphony with Argentinian dancers Tomas Galván and Gimena Herrera and internationally- acclaimed bandoneón artist Hector Del Curto. Prepare for a night of fiery Tango classics, including La Cumparsita, Tango de la Menegilda, El Choclo, and Por Una Cabeza by Ástor Piazzolla, Carlos Gardel, and others.
This concert is sponsored in part by Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg
5.4.19 – Cirque Musica presents “Heroes & Villains”
Sean O’Laughlin, conductor
A new Cirque spectacular featuring classical repertoire and popular sci-fi pieces from movies, comics, television, and more!