Beethoven's Emperor

The Oregon Symphony brings Beethoven's Emperor to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Saturday, April 24, 2027, with Nicholas McGegan conducting and Steven Osborne on piano. It's part of the orchestra's Classical Series C, and the night is sponsored by Bob and Dorothy Haley.

The main event is Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, his last piano concerto, which he wrote in Vienna in 1809 while Napoleon's troops were besieging the city. It's one of the big works of his heroic period, and you can hear that struggle and triumph running through it. Osborne takes the piano part, and McGegan leads the orchestra.

They've paired it with two other pieces. There's Mozart's Symphony No. 39, and C.P.E. Bach's Symphony No. 3 in F major, Wq. 183. That last one comes from a composer both Mozart and Beethoven admired, so it fits right in with the rest of the program.

For a bit of background, the Oregon Symphony was founded in 1896, making it the oldest orchestra on the West Coast. It's recognized as an Oregon 'History Maker,' and it's known for adventurous programming that blends classical music with jazz, indie, and hip hop, and for collaborations with artists like The Decemberists, esperanza spalding, and Rick Ross. This particular night stays in the classical lane, though.

The concert is at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, starting at 7:30 PM.