Music

Orchestra Devotes Evening to Beethoven's Classics

Barbara Arnold |

“A Beethoven Marathon” is the theme of the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra’s first concert of its 19th season performed under the baton of its new Music Director Frank A. Watkins. The concert will be on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7:30pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire. The all-Beethoven program will feature Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (“Emperor”), Romance No. 2 for violin and orchestra, and Piano Concerto No. 5. Artists include Eau Claire native Ryan Poquette on violin and UW-Eau Claire associate professor Nicholas Phillips on piano. Poquette is concertmaster of the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra and the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra and the founder of the new Clear Water Chamber Players. Dr. Phillips is an international concert and recording artist described by The New York Times as a “talented, entrepreneurial pianist.” Tickets are available at Neff’s Piano Shop, Festival Foods, or through PayPal purchase on the orchestra’s website eccochambermusic.org and at the door (adults $24, senior citizens $21, and students $9). A pre-concert introduction to the evening’s music will be presented at 6:45pm. The artwork of the Seymour Family will be on display, and at intermission, the Memorial High School Booster Club will offer refreshments. For additional information, email eccochambermusic@gmail.com or call (715) 831-3331.