Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy

6:30PM – FREE PRE-CONCERT TALK! Join us in the Performance Hall to learn more about the program.   Three local choirs and six talented soloists will join the CSO for this uplifting season finale concert weekend featuring Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. Haydn’s “London” Symphony and Dvořák’s Te Deum are also included on the program. Plus a world premiere by Ranky Tanky’s Charlton Singleton titled The Gathering.  Antonín Dvořák was no stranger to writing sacred works for orchestra. His Te Deum cantata, however, sounds more influenced by opera and Czech folk melodies than anything else. In his “Choral Fantasy,” Beethoven hinted at the famous “Ode to Joy” theme of his Ninth Symphony, which was composed 16 years later. Building on common Beethoven-beloved themes of goodwill, joy, and brotherhood, the “Choral Fantasy” was based on a poem by German writer Friedrich Schiller. It is, in large part, a creative and virtuosic solo piano piece, along with a stunning chorus-charged grand finale.   MORE ON THE MUSIC & ARTISTS: The Hartford Courant described pianist Daniela Liebman’s performance as “…demonstrating maturity, sensitivity and graceful virtuosity throughout.” To show her support of Charleston, Daniela was in the audience for the CSO’s debut concert at Carnegie Hall on February 26, 2025! Citadel graduate, Morris Robinson is a GRAMMY® Award-winning bass, featured on recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (“Symphony of a Thousand”) with the Los Angeles Philharmonic led by conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The New York Times described Soprano Laquita Mitchell as “smooth-voiced” and “soothing presence” in a review of Spoleto Festival’s Omar (June 2022).     PROGRAM Charlton Singleton (b. 1971) The Gathering   Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Symphony No. 104 in D major “London”                   INTERMISSION   Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) Te Deum, Op. 103, B. 176     Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Fantasia for Piano, Chorus, and Orchestra, Op. 80 “Choral Fantasy”     ARTISTS Carlos Izcaray, Conductor Daniela Liebman, Piano Laquita Mitchell, Soprano Morris Robinson, Bass Saundra DeAthos, Soprano Meleana Cabales, Alto Edward Brennan, Tenor Timothy McGowan, Tenor CSO Chorus (Nicholas Quardokus, Director) Charleston Men’s Chorus (Ricard Bordas, Director) College of Charleston Concert Choir (Emily Bohl, Director)   Supporting Sponsor: