Joyful Dances


Saturday, May 7, 2022
7:30 PM
Garde Arts Center, New London

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We extend our sincere gratitude to Olde Mistick Village for sponsoring this concert. They have been faithful supporters of our community and the ECSO for many years!

The Program

Beethoven

TRIPLE CONCERTO

with Elissa Lee Koljonen, violin; Sophie Shao, cello; Eva Virsik, piano

Price

DANCES IN THE CANEBRAKES

Beethoven

ODE TO JOY, FINALE FROM SYMPHONY NO.9

with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus

Celebrating Ludwig van Beethoven, the evening begins with his Triple Concerto of 1803, featuring celebrated violinist, Elissa Lee Koljonen; Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, cellist Sophie Shao; and acclaimed Steinway Artist pianist Eva Virsik. Following intermission, the ECSO performs Florence Price’s Dances in the Canebrakes, a charming, jazzy, three-movement suite. It was written for solo piano in 1953, the year of her death, and later orchestrated by William Grant Still, a Harlem Renaissance figure then known as the “Dean of Afro-American Composers.” To festively conclude this milestone season, the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus joins the orchestra under Music Director & Conductor Toshiyuki Shimada to present the glorious finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, his immortal setting of Friedrich Schiller’s Ode to Joy, with soloists Sarah Yanovitch-Vitale, Caroline O’Dwyer, Brian Cheney and Gregory Flower.

We are bringing back the bubbly drinks to celebrate the conclusion of the 75th anniversary season. Join us for at the post-concert reception for a toast!

Event attendance protocols:

Proof of a full course of vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours or a negative COVID-19 Antigen test within 48 hours required. Masks will be required indoors unless actively eating or drinking. Items you should bring for admission to the concert include a photo ID, photo, or copy of your vaccination card, OR a photo, text, or email of a negative test result, where applicable.

Joyful Dances | Spotify Playlist

Virtual Pre-Concert Chat

Toshi discusses Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Finale, with bass-baritone vocal soloist, Gregory Flower.
Toshi’s chat with Elissa Lee Koljonen about Beethoven’s Triple Concerto.

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