Contact: Stephanie Roose FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Phone: (734

Contact: Stephanie Roose
Phone: (734) 994-4801
Email: stephanie@a2so.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANN ARBOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS:
Beethoven and Beyond
Nearly 220 years ago this very week, Beethoven premiered his Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat
major, Op.19. Relive the thrill of this brilliant composer’s first concerto on Saturday, March 22,
8:00 p.m. at the Michigan Theater, through our returning guest, pianist Adam Golka.
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 was a “presentation piece” for Beethoven as he looked to
establish himself in Vienna after moving from Bonn. Soloing at its premiere in 1795, Beethoven
made his first public debut. Until that point, he had performed exclusively in the private salons
of the Viennese nobility. This work is written very much in the likeness of Mozart’s; however,
Beethoven uses a sense of drama and contrast unusual for the time.
Adam Golka, back for his second performance with the A2SO, is known for his wonderful
technique and expression. He has garnered international prizes including the 2008 Gilmore
Young Artist Award, first prize in the 2nd China Shanghai International Piano Competition and
the 2009 Max I. Allen Classical Fellowship Award of the American Pianists Association. Golka has
performed all five Beethoven Piano concertos both nationally and internationally. Born and
raised in Texas, the 26-year old studied with Leon Fleisher and continues his work in master
classes with Andras Schiff and Mitsuko Unchida. He currently resides in New York City.
Audience members will recognize the tone poem by Richard Strauss, Also sprach Zarathustra,
made popular as the theme from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. This piece has been part of
the classical repertoire since its premiere in 1896. Also referred to as “Thus spoke Zarathustra,”
this piece is divided into nine sections played with only three definite pauses. Humanity and the
universe are represented by their own unique melodies. Audience members will have the rare
treat of hearing the mighty Barton Organ of the Michigan Theater play a key part of this work.
Fanfare for Great Woods, or rather, Short Ride in a Fast Machine by John Adams, is a fanfare
commissioned by the Great Woods Festival of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. This brief
and dramatic piece debuted in 1986, and it is one of the most performed orchestral works
composed in the last 25 years.
Join your Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and guest performer Adam Golka on Saturday, March
22 as we go to Beethoven and Beyond.
This concert is made possible with support from the MCACA and NEA.
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The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is a premier regional orchestra offering live, symphonic
music for audiences of diverse ages and classical music experiences. The A2SO touches the lives
of over 76,000 people every year, from tiny tots to seasoned citizens in venues ranging from the
Michigan Theater to Hill Auditorium, as well as schools in the five-county area including Ann
Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Dexter District Libraries, and senior citizen centers. For concert or
educational programming information, contact the A2SO by calling (734) 994-4801 or emailing
info@a2so.com.
Pianist Adam Golka