THE CLASSIX SERIES
BEETHOVEN’S EMPEROR CONCERTO
Saturday & Sunday
March 22 & 23, 2025
7:30 PM | Doors 6:00 PM
4:00 PM | Doors 2:30 PM
Shakespeare once said, “The earth has music for those who listen.” Embark on a journey through the Italian countryside with Respighi's Pines of Rome, crafting a breathtaking symphonic depiction of light, land, and the iconic scenery of Rome. Then hear the world premiere performance of The Sacrifice of Prometheus by Great Basin National Park's Artist-in-Residence, composer Marko Bajzer, which tells the story of the planet’s oldest trees (and Nevada's state tree!): the Great Basin Bristlecone Pines. Written for solo bass oboe, orchestra, and electronics, listeners will experience the actual sounds emitted by the trees themselves, as Bajzer used electrodes to monitor their electrical conductivity and converted the data into audible representations through new technology. A masterpiece made in misery, Beethoven likely wrote his Emperor Piano Concerto while hiding in a basement. Under attack by Napoleon, Vienna was in a state of emergency and this siege affected the composer, “both body and soul.” Performed by Davidson Fellow, Katherine Emma Liu, the piano's regal melodies converse with the orchestra in a display of Liu’s virtuosic brilliance.
ON THE PROGRAM
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, op. 73 “Emperor”
Marko BAJZER: The Sacrifice of Prometheus [world premiere]
Ottorino RESPIGHI: Pines of Rome
FEATURING KATHERINE EMMA LIU, PIANO
& Russ deluna, bass oboe
Russ deLuna joined the San Francisco Symphony as English horn player in 2007 and is occupant of the Joseph and Pauline Scafidi Chair. He has appeared as soloist with the orchestra in Quiet City by Aaron Copland and this season performing The Swan of Tuonela. In the summer he performs as a member of the Saito Kinen Orchestra in Matsumoto, Japan and earlier this year performed as guest English Hornist with the New York Philharmonic. He was previously principal oboist of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and Columbus Symphony Orchestra of Georgia; he played English horn in the Atlanta Ballet and the Alabama Symphony. He holds an M.M. from Boston University, has taught at Emory University and Columbus State University and has given master classes at Manhattan School of Music, University of Michigan and many others. He has performed on the San Francisco Chamber Music Series, Noe Valley Chamber Music Series as well as with the Gold Coast Chamber Players. He is also on the oboe faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
For information on group rates, or other ticket discounts, please click here.
RUSS DELUNA
Thank you to our CLASSIX SERIES sponsors
Sandy Raffealli / Bill Pearce Motors
Millard Reed & Millie Hopper
Chris & Parky May
Heather Williams
The Davidson Institute for Talent Development
John McCall & Beverly Osowski
Cathy & Larry Spector
Barbara Hall
Cecilia Lee
Nancy Northrup & Allen Black
Bill Yundt
Karen Vibe, CFP, CRPS | Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Sound Investments
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*Not ready to attend in person? Purchase an access link for our livestream or video-on-demand (available 10/2) and enjoy the concert from the comfort of home!
How to View the Livestream Concert
One day before the concert, ticketholders will receive an email with a link to the video. We recommend you access the link at least 10 minutes before the concert begins. If you do not receive a link, please check your spam & junk folders before contacting the box office. Livestream FAQ & SUPPORT.
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Parking
Patrons have several options for parking near the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. We recommend the following:
Metered parking (pay Monday-Saturday 9am – 6pm; free evenings after 6pm and on Sundays)
The open parking lot across from the Washoe County Court House (free on evenings and weekends). The entrance is located on Court St, between Virginia and Sierra St.
The parking lot attached to Nevada State Bank (ONLY available free in the evenings and on weekends)
Directions
Directions from I-580 via Mill Street
Take exit 66 for Mill St.
-395 Northbound: exit 66 and turn left at Mill St.
-395 Southbound: exit 66 and turn right at Mill St.
Follow Mill St. about 1.5 miles
Turn left on Lake St.
Turn right on Court St.
The Pioneer Center will be on your right
Directions from I-80 via Virginia Street
Take exit 13 for Downtown Reno/Virginia St.
-I-80 Eastbound: exit 13 and turn right at N. Virginia St.
-I-80 Westbound: exit 13 and turn left at N. Virginia St.
Follow Virginia St. about 1 mile (cross the Truckee River).
The Pioneer Center will be on your left
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The Reno Phil’s community partners donate rooms for out of town musicians, food for events and many other needs. Without their generosity, we would not be able to provide the community with world-class, innovative music performances. We greatly appreciate their contribution to the performing arts, as well as helping keep the costs of concerts reasonable for our ticket buyers. If you’re coming from out of town and plan to stay in Reno after the concert, please consider reserving a room with one of our hotel partners.
We hear from our partners that enjoying a good meal makes our concerts sound better. You should test that theory and let us know! Please consider dining with one of these supporting restaurants before or after a concert. And say thanks for us, too.
Dining
Hotels