The Program

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.