Ludwig van Beethoven is one of today’s best-loved and most popular Classical composers. Not only his music, but also his fascinating life has inspired movies and documentaries such as Immortal Beloved and In Search of Beethoven.

Ludwig van Beethoven is one of today’s best-loved and most popular Classical composers. Not only his music, but also his fascinating life has inspired movies and documentaries such as Immortal Beloved and In Search of Beethoven.

On Saturday 22 August, 7.30pm, Manukau Symphony Orchestra will present Ludwig, a 2-hour concert including interval featuring a selection of Beethoven’s works – Prometheus Overture, Piano Concerto No.1, Ah Perfido! aria and Symphony No.8.

Conductor and piano soloist for this concert is Eugene Albulescu, a kiwi now based at Lehigh University in the USA. Eugene is very much looking forward to being in Manukau again. "I am excited about my upcoming trip. I spent a lot of time in Manukau as a teenager, and have fond memories of the City."

What makes this all-Beethoven concert extra special is that Eugene will be conducting from the piano in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.1 – exactly as Beethoven himself would have performed it. Auckland soprano Morag Atchison sings Beethoven’s beautiful Ah Perfido! aria.

Dr Allan Badley, an expert on 18th-century Viennese music and composers, will give a talk on Beethoven: the man, his life and works at 6.30pm, before the concert. This talk is free to all concert-goers.

Manukau Symphony Orchestra presents Ludwig, Genesis Energy Theatre, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre. Saturday 22 August at 7.30pm, pre-concert talk 6.30pm. Tickets cost from $15 to $50. Senior citizen and group rates available. Booking is recommended. Phone Mrs Terry Spragg on 09 445 1863 or email manukausymphony@xtra.co.nz and she’ll be very happy to assist you. www.manukausymphony.org.nz