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Rogue Valley Symphony to play Beethoven's 'Fifth',Saint-Saens' 'Organ Symphony' The Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Arthur Shaw, will present Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and Saint-Saens' powerful "Organ Symphony" with Dr. Margaret Evans in three concerts: at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at the SOU Music Recital Hall; at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, at the Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center. Opening the program is Wagner's Overture to "Die Meistersinger von N�rnberg." Possibly the most recognized piece of classical music in existence, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is a perennial audience favorite, which demonstrates Beethoven's compositional genius and creativity. The famous four note rhythmic motive in the beginning pervades the entire work in various forms and provides a unifying element to the symphony. Beethoven's musical progression from minor to major mirrors his inner transition from conflict to resolution, and the work's influence on later symphonic composers is immeasurable. Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3, called the "Organ Symphony-phony" for its prominent organ part, was written in 1886. The piece is considered by many to be Saint-Saens' masterpiece, and the organ adds an underlying strength and power to the work. Featured organist Margaret Evans is professor of music and university organist at Southern Oregon University, where she teaches organ, piano, and music history. She holds degrees from Chatham College, the University of Michigan and the Eastman School of Music and has played many recitals across the United States, including recitals for northwest and southwest regional conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Ninth International Summer Organ Festival in Balboa Park, San Diego. In addition to her position at SOU, she is the music director at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Medford where she conducts four choirs, plays three services every week and manages a concert series. "The Saint-Saens shows off the organ as an orchestral instrument, both in its quietness and in its full majesty," Evans comments. "At points the organ plays under the orchestra as a support, and at others it is the equal partner to the orchestra. If you've never heard an organ before with an orchestra, this is the perfect piece in which to hear it." In addition to the "Organ Symphony" and Beethoven's Fifth, the orchestra will play Wagner's Overture to "Die Meistersinger von N�rnberg." In contrast to Wagner's "music dramas," most pre-Wagnerian operas used flimsy plots as a mere framework for the music. Wagner influenced all opera composers after him by his belief that an opera should be a full work of art, with the music, libretto, staging and action all integrally important to the total production. "Meistersinger" was his second to last opera, and he continued his use of "leitmotivs," or themes, that signify characters and emotions throughout the work. To enrich the concert experience, free pre-concert talks are offered one hour before each performance. For details on this performance and upcoming events, log onto the symphony's website at www.rvsymphony.org. LINKS: REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. DAILY TIDINGS: Main | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -