January 16, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … The arrival of an eccentric boarder turns a young boy’s life upside down as Oregon Symphony Assistant Conductor Mei-Ann Chen and the orchestra present the award-winning Classical Kids’ program “Beethoven Lives Upstairs” for the final Kids Concert of the 2003-04 season on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Media support provided by Portland Parent. This concert is part of the Oregon Symphony’s month-long Beethoven Festival.
Christoph is a young boy in 1820s Vienna. His father has just died and he resents the arrival of the new tenant upstairs. Through a series of letters exchanged with his uncle, Christoph complains that a “madman” has moved into the house, complete with eccentric behavior and a fiery temper. But soon Christoph comes to understand his tenant is no ordinary man, but the gifted and tormented Beethoven, trapped in his deafness and his obsession to continue expressing his musical ideas. Through the use of many short musical examples of Beethoven’s works, Christoph and the audience come to know this troubled and brilliant man. The concert will include excerpts from the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Symphonies, the “Pathetique” and “Moonlight” piano sonatas, “Für Elise,” Leonora Overture No. 3, Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 5, and a number of other works.
“Beethoven Lives Upstairs” is one of ten Classical Kids programs created by Susan Hammond, a series best known for its composer recordings of child-centered dramatic stories based on historical fact, combined with music from the world’s best-loved composers. With historical works like “Beethoven Lives Upstairs,” “Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery” and “Tchaikovsky Discovers America,” Classical Kids has changed the way children and many adults perceive classical music.
Like old-time radio dramas, Classical Kids also invites children to experience a wide spectrum of historical eras including Medieval times (“Song of the Unicorn”) featuring Merlin, King Arthur and the mystical unicorn; 17th century Venice (“Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery”) set in the mysterious time of Mardi Gras; 18th century London (“Hallelujah Handel!”) with its palaces, Gin Lane/parks and Bedlam hospital; turn-of-the-centuryVienna (“Beethoven Lives Upstairs”) when the most famous classical composer enchanted the city; 19th century America (“Tchaikovsky Discovers America”), when electric lights and ten-storey buildings were technological wonders; and even a little time-traveling between the 17th and 20th century, when Mr. Bach visits a modern-day girl.
Performances are scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets range from $6 to $31 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (503-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.
Susan Hammond is the executive producer of an eight-title series of children’s classical music recordings, known collectively as Classical Kids. Each entails its own adventure, featuring a unique combination of music, history and dramatic storytelling to engage the imaginations of children and introduce them and adults to the joys of classical music. In addition to developing the symphony concert productions of “Beethoven Lives Upstairs,” “Tchaikovsky Discovers America,” Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery,” “Hallelujah Handel!” and the new “Mozart’s Magic Fantasy,” Susan Hammond produced the music for the Emmy Award-winning “Beethoven Lives Upstairs” home video.
Paul Pement has extensive experience in acting, choreographing, directing and producing professional live theatre and corporate industrial shows. As president of Pement Enterprises, Paul holds a licensing agreement with Classical Kids to produce five symphony concerts: “Beethoven Lives Upstairs,” “Tchaikovsky Discovers America,” Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery,” “Hallelujah Handel!” and “Mozart’s Magic Fantasy.” In addition to selling, booking and touring the shows internationally, Mr. Pement casts and directs, while maintaining all production values associated with the live Symphony Concert Series.
Howie is excited to be appearing in the Classical Kids concert series. Credits include Dick Wilkins in “A Christmas Carol” at Ford’s Theatre, Enoch Snow Jr. in “Carousel” and Courier in “1776” at the Marriott Theatre, “As You Like It” at Chicago Shakespeare, Tinculo in “The Tempest” at Dallas Shakespeare, Jack and Cinderella’s Prince in “Into the Woods,” Charlie in “Brigadoon,” the Artful Dodger in “Oliver,” Butler/Dan in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and a children’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.” He also sang with George Hearn in “A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim” with the Pittsburgh Pops and played the role of Henry Clerval in the video production of “Frankenstein the Musical.” Howie holds a B.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon.
Jeff is thrilled to be joining Classical Kids this season. Recent credits include “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Grand Hotel” with Theatre at the Center; for the latter performance he received Chicago’s After Dark Award for his performance as Otto Kringeline. Chicago and regional credits include Jacob/Potiphar in Arkansas Rep’s tour of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” with Tony nominee Brian Lane Green, for which he reprised his role with Chicago’s Royal George Theatre, Herr Shultz in Candlelight Dinner Theatre’s “Cabaret,” Mr. Thompson in Drury Lane’s award-winning “1776,” Abel Frake in “State Fair,” Sal Andretti in Marriott-Lincolnshire’s “Victor/Victoria,” Parchester in “Me and My Girl,” and Honoré Lachaille in “Gigi.” A tenor soloist and choral arranger, Kuhl holds a master’s in music and Opera/Theatre Performance and has sung with Opera Omaha, the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, Fred Waring, The Civic Singers, and was a finalist in the U.S. regional Met Auditions.
Sara is thrilled to be working with Classical Kids. She graduated in 1995 from Hope College with a BA in Stage Management. Her Chicago credits include “Forever Plaid” and “Love Janis” at the Royal George Theater, “Catch 22,” “Building Sympathy” and “The Good Doctor” with Center Theatre Ensemble, “Dangerous Corner” with Greasy Joan and Co. and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” with Redmoon Theater Company. She worked for four summers at the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, where her credits include “42nd Street,” “10 November” and “The Trip to Bountiful.” In addition to her work as a stage manager, she is also currently working as the Development Director for Tangerine Arts Group in Chicago, and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Administration from DePaul University. Love and thanks to Jon.
