The Phoenix Symphony is excited to announce we are upgrading to a new, easy-to-use ticketing system. During this transition, our TICKETING SYSTEM IS DOWN September 11, 12, 13, and 14. Our new ticketing system will be live on September 15. Sorry for any inconvenience. Feel free to browse our performances in the meantime.

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The Phoenix Symphony kicks off 2011/12 Season with Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Symphony launches their 2011/12 US Airways Classic Series season in grand style under the Virginia G. Piper Music Director Michael Christie with one of history’s greatest music compositions ever written, Beethoven: Symphony No. 9. This masterpiece is paired with Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man as we pay tribute to those whose lives were forever changed on September 11, 2001.  

Most commonly recognized by its 4th-movement tune “Ode to Joy”, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is frequently referred to as the “Symphony of Joy”. The “Ode to Joy” is a German poem by Friedrich Schiller. Inspired by its profound messages of brotherhood and universal love, many composers tried setting the text to music. Beethoven himself announced his desire to compose his own “Ode to Joy” when he was only 23 years old. Just 30 years later, Beethoven succeeded in his glorious composition capturing the jubilant essence of Schiller’s poem in Symphony No. 9.  

Virginia G. Piper Music Director Michael Christie said, “I am elated the season will kick off with such a beautiful score. The powerful crescendos and magnitude of Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ is what makes the piece compelling still today.”

Ten years ago on September 11, 2011, many lives were forever changed, and we salute these honorable men and women with Fanfare for the Common Man, which exemplifies the quintessence of honoring the everyday and the extraordinary American.  

A unique example of 20th Century American Classical Music, Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man is a short piece featuring a dynamic range of strong brass and percussion now easily identified with the American music style through integration with Rock, Television, Media and Cinema. Copland continued his development of Fanfare for the Common Man by featuring the theme in his fourth movement of his Third Symphony.  

Part of the Classics Series, Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 will be held at Symphony Hall on September 15 at 7:30 pm, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. Saturday’s performance on September 17 will also be held at Symphony Hall at 8 pm.  The concert at Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts will be held on September 16 at 7:30 pm, sponsored by UBS Financial Services.

Tickets for Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 start at $18 and can be purchased by calling the Phoenix Symphony Box Office at 602-495-1999 or by visiting www.phoenixsymphony.org.

Other highlights of The Phoenix Symphony’s season include “Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21” (September 22-24) and “The Phoenix Symphony celebration of the CALA Festival” (September 30 – October 1).

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