Curse of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony Themes Victoria Symphony’s 11/12 Signature Series

“Curse” of Beethoven 9th Symphony Themes VS 11/12 Signature Series

Victoria, BC –On Saturday September 24 and Sunday September 25 at the Royal Theatre, the Victoria Symphony begins its 11/12 Signature Series with Vivaldi Four Seasons featuring concertmaster Terence Tam. The concert also features Beethoven Symphony No. 1, which kicks off the Victoria Symphony’s thematic Signature Series that has been programmed by Music Director Tania Miller as an exploration of the superstition that Beethoven’s 9^th symphony cursed all composers who followed.

“In 1824 Ludwig van Beethoven bared his soul in a work so stunning in originality, scale and emotional power that virtually every great composer who followed has lived under its shadow. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony left so great an impact on the classical music world that a superstition arose in its wake resulting from the untimely deaths of several composers who passed way while trying to write their 10^th symphonies. We are exploring this superstition in the Signature Series and performing works by composers affected by the “curse” including Mahler, Brahms, Schubert and more.” states Music Director
Tania Miller. 

The opening concert of the Signature Series starts its exploration of the Shadow of the Ninth where it all began with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, written by the composer in 1799. It would be 25 years later that Beethoven would write his final and most well known Symphony. Conducted by conductor-in-residence Giuseppe Pietraroia the concert opens with Hatch’s Ill cimento dell’armonia et dell’inventione and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 in the first half, followed by Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons led and performed by Terence Tam in the second half.

Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is one of the most popular pieces in the classical repertoire and its movements Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter are among the most performed in all of classical music. This is the first time that Concertmaster Terence Tam will be leading as well as performing The Four Seasons for the Victoria Symphony. Already an extremely popular concert based on presold tickets, this concert is highly anticipated after the sold out performances of Tam Plays Tchaikovsky last March. Tam has been the orchestra’s concertmaster since January 2008. He is tremendously popular among audiences and, through his leadership and virtuosity; he has elevated the orchestra to new heights of artistic excellence.

Signature Saturdays is sponsored by Chard Developments. The concert sponsor of Vivaldi Four Seasons is the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour. The Victoria Symphony wishes to thank both for their continued and generous support of the Victoria Symphony.

The Victoria Symphony, led by its vibrant Music Director Tania Miller,is Vancouver Island’s largest and most active arts organization. The orchestra performs year round with concerts in six diverse series, a summer series that concludes with Victoria Symphony Splash, a commitment to fostering new music, and a dedication to community involvement through music education. The Victoria Symphony’s 2011-2012 season offers an exciting line-up of over 50 concerts that extends from September to the season finale Beethoven Symphony No. 9, on May 5 & 6, 2012.

Vivaldi Four Seasons

Giuseppe Pietrarioa, conductor
Terence Tam, leader & violin
September 24, 8pm & September 25, 2:30pm
Royal Theatre

Tickets: 250.385.6515 or victoriasymphony.ca

-30-