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The NRO presents Beethoven’s Fifth at the Riverwalk Center

Carey Skinner
Special to the Daily
The NRO welcomes guest conductor Karina Canellakis to the podium this Wednesday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. She will be conducting works by Brahms, Adams and Beethoven.
Todd Rosenberg / Special to the Daily |

If you go:

What: Beethoven’s Fifth

When: Wednesday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Riverwalk Center, 150 W. Adams Ave., Breckenridge

Cost: $40 Gold, $35 Silver, $25 Bronze

Tickets and information: 970-547-3100, NROMusic.com

The symphony that needs no introduction, Beethoven’s Fifth will be led by dynamic young conductor Karina Canellakis Wednesday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. The NRO is thrilled to welcome her back to the Riverwalk Center after her outstanding work with the orchestra in the 2016 season. Winner of the 2016 Sir George Solti Conducting Award, maestro Canellakis recently concluded her tenure as the assistant conductor of the Dallas Symphony and now enjoys traveling around the globe making guest appearances with the world’s finest symphonies.

The most famous four notes in the classical repertoire are already ringing in our ears in anticipation for this remarkable symphony. During his lifetime, Beethoven’s Eroica symphony was still the most popular while the Fifth had a more gradual rise to prominence over the course of the 19th century. Eventually it became associated not only with Beethoven’s characteristic style but with classical music as a whole. Over the last century, it has most frequently been used for inaugural concerts of new orchestras and all throughout popular culture including appearances in movies, TV shows and commercials. French composer Hector Berlioz said the symphony “emanates directly and solely from the genius of Beethoven. It is his own intimate thought that is developed; and his secret sorrows, his pent-up rage, his dreams so full of melancholy oppression, his nocturnal visions and his bursts of enthusiasm furnish its entire subject, while the melodic, harmonic, rhythmic and orchestral forms are there delineated with essential novelty and individuality, endowing them also with considerable power and nobility.”

Brahms was not an innovative composer like many of his contemporaries but rather worshipped Beethoven and lived in fear of falling short of the incredibly high standard he set. Beethoven’s heavy influence is apparent in this sensational Piano Concerto, no. 1, to be performed by award-winning pianist Stephen Hough. Hough has concertized with some of the world’s greatest orchestras and is applauded for his versatility; he enjoys a diverse career of not only performing but also composing and writing. This concerto pays tribute to many of Brahms’ idols from the most skillful Renaissance composers to the Romantic masters. This allows for a variety of musical styles, brilliantly blended together. The second movement Adagio is particularly beautiful; Brahms wrote of it to his forbidden love, Clara Schumann, saying, “I am painting a gentle portrait of you.” Hough’s presentation of this exquisite piece will transport you to a different world of dazzling colors and intense emotions.



Also featured on this concert is celebrated contemporary composer John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine. Come witness the NRO summit these pinnacles of classical music.


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