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HAVE YOU heard? We are in the midst of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s 40th season!
Our 40th season is a testament to the importance of this regional arts treasure. This year, we’ve had spectacular concerts every month and never sounded better.
To help celebrate this monumental season, we planned something special in March: The Beethoven Festival.
The Beethoven Festival has special events every day from Wednesday through Saturday, culminating in a “masterworks concert” at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre with the philharmonic and guest pianist Jon Nakamatsu.
Jon is no stranger to our stage, being one of the most frequently returning guest soloists (three out of my seven seasons) with the philharmonic. He is a poet on the piano, supremely gifted, and people love him on and off the stage.
After we engaged him to play the concert, he volunteered to perform in all other aspects of the festival, including the chamber music concert, because he loves Northeastern Pennsylvania and our philharmonic. We are so thankful for his participation.
Wednesday. Beginning at 2 p.m. at The Colonnade in Scranton, Jon Nakamatsu and I will be giving a free lecture on “The Music of Beethoven.” We will delve into what makes this music so great, why it is such a joy to perform and why it is so difficult to perform. There will be light refreshments, and I’m sure we will have some question-and-answer discussion. Space will be limited, so reserve your place now.
Thursday. Starting at 6:30 p.m. at The Mellow Theater in Scranton, we have our chamber music concert with Mr. Nakamatsu performing with two members of the philharmonic, principal cello Alberto Parrini and principal clarinet Pascal Archer. They will perform two Beethoven works, the Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano (op.11) and the Sonata for Cello and Piano (op. 69). Tickets cost $26.50 for adults and $16.50 for students.
Friday. At 6:30 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center, we will have an open rehearsal. This will take you behind the scenes to observe the first rehearsal with Mr. Nakamatsu and the philharmonic working on Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto. You’ll hear the piece as it is being put together, preparing for the concert the next day. This event is free, and students are strongly encouraged to attend.
Saturday. At 8 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center, we have the final event of the festival, the masterworks concert. Mr. Nakamatsu will be performing Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto with the philharmonic. We also will perform Beethoven’s Creatures of Prometheus Overture and Beethoven’s 2nd Symphony. Contact us for tickets for the grand finale to our Beethoven Festival.
The Beethoven Festival has special events every day from Wednesday through
Saturday, culminating in a “masterworks concert” at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre …
