Enjoy an interactive and spontaneous atmosphere as the ESO presents music of a youthful Beethoven

Late Night with Bill Eddins

Late Night Beethoven

Friday, January 8^th ’Äì 9:30 pm

Classic Landmarks Masters

Beethoven Masters

Saturday, January 9^th ’Äì 8:00 pm

Edmonton, AB ’Ķ The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) kicks off the New Year with an innovative new series to experience great classical music. Late Night with Bill Eddins makes its series debut, offering a uniquely interactive way to listen and learn about the music of masterful composers. In this series’Äô premiere at the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, audiences will hear excerpts from Beethoven’Äôs early works, in a cool, relaxed atmosphere.

Beginning later than our usual concerts, Late Night Beethoven will see ESO Music Director William Eddins leading the orchestra through Symphony No. 2, the optimistic work Beethoven composed in spite of his impending deafness, and conducting the ESO musicians from the piano as he performs Piano Concert No. 2 ’Äì an impressive calling card of the emerging genius. ESO Principal Oboe and guest soloist Lidia Khaner will perform the lone surviving movement of a work long thought to be lost for oboe and orchestra, in what will be its Canadian premiere.

Though Late Night Beethoven will be performed without intermission, audiences have the chance to share their thoughts about the music through discussion with Bill Eddins from the stage. Afterwards, guests can stick around for live jazz and cocktails! The smooth contemporary sounds of the CL Project ’Äì Carter Lee (bass), Steve Frise (guitar), Ian Morris (drums), and Adam Remenda (piano) ’Äì will entertain guests post-concert in the main lobby, with original arrangements showcasing the astounding creative talent of these young rising musicians.

Both the familiar and unusual music of young Beethoven from Late Night Beethoven can be heard the following evening at the Winspear Centre, in Beethoven Masters. The full works of the Second Piano Concerto and Second Symphony, along with a piece featuring an atypical instrumental combination of flute, bassoon, piano, and orchestra will be presented. Resident Conductor Lucas Waldin will make his ESO debut as guest flutist, and will share conducting duties with Bill Eddins. Lidia Khaner returns to perform the same oboe concerto excerpt from Friday, and Edmonton native Kevin Harris makes his ESO debut as guest bassoonist. Learn more about Saturday evening’Äôs performance at Symphony Prelude: 7:15 pm in the Upper Circle (Third Level) Lobby with D.T. Baker.

Ticket prices for Late Night Beethoven range from $20 ’Äì $40 (agency fees apply), and $20 - $69 (agency fees apply) for Beethoven Masters. Tickets are available through the Winspear Centre Box Office by calling (780) 428-1414, 1-800-563-5081, or purchase online at www.edmontonsymphony.com.

The next, and only other performance of the Late Night with Bill Eddins series this season will take place on May 28^th, 2010. Late Night Paris will once again see Bill Eddins as conductor and pianist in this concert exploring the beauty of France in the spring through the music of Bizet and Poulenc.

The music of Beethoven returns for the next Masters series performances on January 22^nd & 23^rd, 2010. An unforgettable presentation of the epochal Ninth Symphony ’ÄúChoral’Äù will be performed by the ESO, with guest vocalists and Richard Eaton Singers. A 2008 choral work by John Estacio, set to text by acclaimed Canadian poet and playwright, John Murrell, will also be heard.

Thank you to our Late Night with Bill Eddins series sponsor Lexus of Edmonton, our Masters series title sponsor Classic Landmarks Master Builder and Masters series media sponsor CKUA Radio Network, and ESO season sponsors CBC and the Edmonton Journal.

Sponsorship inquiries can be directed to Marc Carnes, Director of Development, at (780) 401-2518.

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, marking its 58^th season in 2009-2010, has taken its place as one of Canada's foremost orchestral ensemble. Its current roster includes 56 musicians from Canada and around the world, performing a wide-ranging repertoire from the great classical masterworks to pops and children's concerts. The presence of the orchestra and its enrichment of the community's quality of life are key elements in the stature and profile of Edmonton on the national and international scene.