Beethoven's 'Eroica' and Rodrigo's 'Aranjuez' Together!! May 20, 2010

For its season finale, the Pacific Chamber Symphony welcomes guest artist Paul Galbraith, the world-renowned guitarist, as Maestro Lawrence Kohl adds the Spanish flair of Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" to the Romanticism of Beethoven's Third ("Eroica") Symphony.

Paul Galbraith won the silver medal at the Segovia International Guitar Competition when he was only 17 years old. Andres Segovia called his playing "Magnificent."

At the 1989 Edinburgh Festival, Mr. Galbraith revealed a unique instrument, created in collaboration with luthier David Rubio. Played in the cello position, this eight stringed instrument makes available a sonority and dynamic range previously unattainable on the guitar.

This instrument, coupled with Mr. Galbraith's impeccable musicianship and astounding technique, is a perfect vehicle for the lush melodies and rich harmonies of Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez". The piece evokes "the fragrance of magnolias, the singing of birds, and the gushing of fountains."

Subtitled "heroic symphony, composed to the memory of a great man", Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 "Eroica" was originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte. But, disgusted with Napoleon's self-proclaimed Emperorship, Beethoven obliterated the original dedication and changed the title.

With its unprecedented depth of orchestral color, the work is groundbreaking in its musical scope and sonority. With the addition of but a single horn to the orchestral forces, abrupt modulations to distant keys, and exploitation of hidden potentials within existing classical forms, Beethoven pushes the classical principles to their limit.

The concert will also include a performance by Livermore Rotary Music Scholarship recipient oboist Alex Curtis. Mr. Curtis received many awards as a high school student and is currently studying music at UC Irvine. He will play the Marcelo Concerto in D Minor.

Official Website: http://www.pacificchambersymphony.org/