Aldo with The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

As both a composer and pianist, Aldo López-Gavilán “exceeds in works that require extraordinary color and fascinating sounds” (The Times); in this program he performs his own Emporium, a piano concerto whose influences include jazz and Cuban culture. The Milwaukee Symphony Chorus joins the MSO for Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, a vibrant work with flavors of the “Ode to Joy” and moments for the chorus and solo piano (López-Gavilán) to shine. These concerts also include the overture to Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, as well as his cantata “Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage,” which gives voice to two nautical poems by Goethe – “Already I see land!”

The MSO Steinway piano was made possible through a generous gift from Michael & Jeanne Schmitz