Ron Greek, San Clemente
The Dana Point Symphony is the real deal. On Friday April 5, they performed the iconic Beethoven No. 9 Symphony at St. Edward’s Church to a standing room overflow crowd of 1500 people. They were accompanied by Mission Viejo’s Church of the Master Choir singing the fourth movement “Ode to Joy” with four soloists who were all outstanding.
To say they nailed it would be a blatant understatement. Upon completion the audience gave them all a 10 minute standing ovation. This was my first exposure to the Dana Point Symphony and what a pleasant and amazing surprise to discover a local orchestra with such talent.
Beethoven’s No. 9 is no easy chore. Its four movements are considered the greatest piece of music ever written. Ludwig Von Beethoven wrote eight symphonies prior to his ninth, each one taking less then a year to compose. No. 9 took 10 years as he was stone deaf and wrote this masterpiece from his memory as to how each note and instrument would sound. Many believe this to be the greatest single example on man’s genius and intellect.
Under the direction of conductor Dean Anderson the choir and the orchestra blended together flawlessly to deliver an evening of great music.