Arts & Entertainment

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 Highlights North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra Winter Concert

The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Beethoven's Third Symphony, "Eroica" to highlight their Winter Concert at Swampscott High School.

Ludwig von Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, acclaimed by many as the composer’s greatest accomplishment, highlights the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra’s Winter Concert on Sunday, February 23, 3:00 p.m. at Swampscott High School Auditorium. 

Music Director Robert Lehmann will also conduct Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante” featuring Orchestra members Allison Doane on oboe, Michelle Markus on clarinet, Annalisa Peterson playing horn, and Ed Fritton, bassoon.  The concert opens with Otto Nicolai’s  “Overture to the Merry Wives of Windsor.”

Tickets will be on sale on the day of the concert for $20, $15 for seniors and students, and children under 12 are admitted free.  Tickets can be purchased in advance through the NSPO’s website at www.nspo.org.  Swampscott High School is located at 200 Essex Street in Swampscott.

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Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, titled “Eroica” is renowned in the history of classical music.  Its sheer length set it apart from the great works of his predecessors, and the work was hailed for his emotional character as it ushered in classical music’s Romantic period.  Perhaps because of its precedential significance, or its expansive beauty and musical achievement, it is believed to have been the composer’s favorite work. 

The final title given by Beethoven to the work is "Heroic symphony to celebrate the memory of a great man."  Beethoven began the composition in 1803, when Napolean Bonaparte was regarded as a great leader and champion of freedom, ideals that Beethoven admired.  As Napolean evolved into a despot seeking world domination, and ultimately claiming the title Emperor,  a furious Beethoven destroyed the pages containing notations and denied the connection until after Napolean’s death in 1821. 

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Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante” was written in 1778 and is popularly regarded for the prominent roles of the four separate wind instruments in individual and combined elegance with the orchestra.  Nevertheless, it is controversial among musical scholars who disagree that the work played today is actually the work of the renowned composer.

The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 1948 with the objective of delivering high-quality live performances of classical music to the North Shore.  Since then, the Orchestra has regularly attracted patrons of the arts and served as a showcase for young soloists and aspiring musicians.  The Orchestra’s long-standing policy of free admission for children has made their concerts a delightful choice for families.  Staffed mostly by volunteers, the Orchestra welcomes the support and participation of anyone with a love of music. 

For more information call or visit www.nspo.org.


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