OSHER 914 - Utah Symphony Finishing Touches Preview: Beethoven's "Emperor" Piano Concerto

Famously written the night before its premiere performance, Mozart's Overture to "Don Giovanni" foreshadows the fate that awaits an unrepentant villain. This epic warning is contrasted with two works that herald a banner of freedom: Beethoven's grand "Emperor" Piano Concerto and Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5. Each composer directly defies the sorrows of the wars that were raging as they composed these works, instead, celebrating the heroics of their countrymen and expressing pride in their homelands. Oboist Luca de la Florin will present a half-hour preview lecture about the music, telling Osher members things to listen for, either during the Finishing Touches Rehearsal immediately after the lecture, or during one of the regular weekend performances. The Finishing Touches series gives audiences an opportunity to observe behind-the-scenes working rehearsals. Selections from the program will be rehearsed at the discretion of the conductor. After the lecture and before the rehearsal, enjoy complimentary brunch bites in the lobby, courtesy of various generous symphony sponsors and donors.