04/05/2011 – News Release

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

A Musical Superhero for All Ages: ESOs April 16 Family Fun Concert Highlights Beethovens Lasting Genius

He hears things no one else can hear. He sees things that mere mortals overlook. And he can launch a whole symphony with just four notes. He is Ludwig von Beethoven. On Saturday, April 16, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra shows kids and families how Beethovens music still grips listeners after 200 years! Featured in this one-hour family concert is music from Beethovens mighty Fifth, haunting Seventh, and heroic Third symphonies, as well as the amazing Triple Concerto for not one, not two, but three soloists.

The family program, entitled Beethoven Superhero, takes place at 3:30 p.m. on April 16 at the Hemmens Theatre in Elgin. An array of hands-on activities and crafts related to the concerts theme begin at 2 p.m. on the lower level of the Hemmens Cultural Center. The new name of the ESOs cello mascot will also be revealed at the concert!

Randal Swiggum, the ESOs education conductor, leads the ESO through the program. While designing the Beethoven Superhero concept, Swiggum noted, Kids need heroes, even real superheroes. The Beethoven storywith its tumult and stress and story of personal victory in the face of deafness and personal despairmakes the music even more compelling. Beethoven really does stand like a titan astride the world of classical music.

The Insieme Trio, winners of the ESOs Young Virtuosi Competition, performs as soloists in the Beethoven Triple Concerto. The trio includes Amanda Gao, piano, freshman at Batavia High School; Lucie Ticho, cello, 7th grader at The Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove, and Serena Harnack, violin, 7th grader at St. Petronille School in Glen Ellyn.

Tickets to Beethoven Superhero are $10 for children and $15 for adults; seating is general admission. To purchase tickets, call the ESO Box Office (847-888-4000) or visit www.elginsymphony.org.

Media Contact:
Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
77 Riverside Drive
Elgin, IL 60120
(800) 217-5362 or (847) 695-7540

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