The 2012 season for the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra opens Sunday at Massey Theatre with a very special treat: an all-Beethoven concert.
The concert features three melodic works by the master symphonist: the Egmont Overture, the Violin Concerto and the magnificent Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral).
"What could be more enjoyable for concert-goers than a leisurely Sunday afternoon, basking in Beethoven," asks local arts promoter Tony Antonias.
The orchestra's music director and conductor, Jin Zhang, introduces a talented young New Westminster violin soloist, Dominic Woo, who will tackle Beethoven's majestic Violin Concerto.
Zhang points out that Woo is a brilliant and active violinist both in Canada and Europe, including Italy, Germany, Hungary, Russia and Switzerland.
Antonias is anxious to hear how Woo handles the finale of this difficult Beethoven work - a rondo in which the soloist finally gets to show off a bit.
The Pastoral Symphony demonstrates Ludwig van Beethoven's love of nature.
"Only a genius like Beethoven would have dared to write so representative a work with the calls of the cuckoo, nightingale and quail included," he notes in a press release.
There are five beautiful, colourful movements in this epic Beethoven symphony that will fill you with wonderful warm feelings, according to Antonias.
This first New Westminster Symphony concert of the season is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4 at Massey Theatre.
As always, admission is by donation.
