Unlike some masterworks that grew in popularity over time, Beethoven’s ninth symphony was revered the first time it was performed. The Grand Rapids Symphony, the 140-member Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus and four vocal soloists join together to present this monumental and revolutionary masterpiece on Friday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. in DeVos Performance Hall. The concerts, led by Music Director David Lockington, are part of the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series. The concert sponsor is Warner, Norcross and Judd.
Ironically, Beethoven wrote his ninth symphony with its grand choral finale, “Ode to Joy,” during one of the darkest periods of his life. Starting at age thirty, as if racing the clock, Beethoven wrote symphonies, sonatas, concertos and quartets. At age thirty-five, at the height of his career, he was slowly going deaf. By the time Beethoven was forty-five, he could no longer hear a piano under his own two hands. That’s when he wrote his Symphony No. 9.Beethoven’s hearing loss was so profound that when the piece premiered he could not hear the audience’s thunderous applause. One of the soloists tapped him on the shoulder and turned him around to face the audience, which had risen for a wildly appreciative standing ovation. The theater house had never seen such an enthusiastic display of appreciation.
Along with being groundbreaking in its monumental popularity, the symphony was the first written to include vocal soloists and a large chorus. Before its premier in 1824, every symphony written was for orchestra alone. Since its first performance over two centuries ago, the melody of the work’s final movement, featuring the euphoric “Ode to Joy,” has been recorded by hundreds of orchestras and is found in church hymnals with the lyrics, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.”
The evening’s program also includes a performance of Bartok’s “Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste,” one of the composer’s best-known compositions. For this work, Bartok specified that the string section be split in two and placed on either side of a percussion group that contains drums, cymbals, timpani, a large gong, xylophone, piano, harp and celeste.
Ticket holders are invited to attend “Upbeat,” a free pre-concert multimedia presentation that provides insight into the evening’s featured music, composers and guest artists. “Upbeat” takes place at 7 p.m. in the Recital Hall of DeVos Performance Hall.
Tickets are $18-$100, and are subject to availability. Tickets are available at the Symphony office, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 300 Ottawa NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder), or by calling 616/454-9451, Ext. 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.) Tickets are available at the DeVos Place Box Office, weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster, 800/982-2787, online at www.grsymphony.org, or in person at Ticketmaster outlets: select D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare Stores and Walmart. Tickets purchased at these locations will include a Ticketmaster service fee. This is a student passport concert.
The Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus was organized and founded in 1962 with the guidance and support of Mary Ann Keeler. Today, it is a volunteer organization of 140 members dedicated to achieving excellence in choral presentations. Under the direction of Dr. Pearl Shangkuan since 2004, the chorus has reached an admirable level of artistic choral performance. The chorus performs major works with the orchestra during the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series, as well as appears in Fox Motors Pops, SymphonicBoom and special event concerts.
Lyric soprano Carrie Hennessey is a powerful, talented artist known for her ability to bring great musical and theatrical depth to her performances. She appeared last season with Grand Rapids Symphony’s presentation of Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” and has performed with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, West Bay Opera, Pacific Symphony and Sacramento Opera.
Alto Kirsten Sollek is becoming a regular presence on the concert and opera stage. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2004 with the New York City Chamber Orchestra in Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass” and has appeared with the Minnesota Orchestra, Dallas Bach Society, Bach Collegium Japan and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia among others.
Tenor Edgar Ernesto Ramirez garners rave reviews for his distinctive Italianate sound, youthful exuberance, and expressive musicality. He has performed with the Brott Festival, Israeli Opera Studio, the Boston Pops and the Boston Lyric Opera. He is a graduate of Boston University’s Opera Institute.
Baritone Paul Max Tipton is building a fine career in opera, oratorio, and early music. He has appeared previously with Grand Rapids Symphony’s presentation of Monteverdi’s “Vespers of 1610,” and has performed with the Yale Camerata, Oregon Bach Festival, San Antonio Symphony among others. Mr. Tipton trained on full fellowship at the University of Michigan School of Music.
The Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. Led by Music Director David Lockington, eight concert series are presented, featuring a wide range of music and performance styles. More than 400 performances are presented each year, touching the lives of some 170,000. Nearly half of those who benefit are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through extensive education and community service programs. The Symphony sponsors the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses, and also provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. To learn more about the Grand Rapids Symphony, please visit www.grsymphony.org.
These concerts are made possible with support from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.