Orchestra’s ‘All Beethoven’ concert to showcase concerto winner

  Arts+Culture   College of Arts & Sciences  

A beloved concerto penned by 19th century composer Ludwig van Beethoven stretches beyond the humanity of its creator toward the eternal, according to pianist and composer Julian Jenson.

La Sierra University music performance major Julian Jenson performed a portion of Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5" in April as winner of the annual concerto competition. He will perform the entire work with the La Sierra University Orchestra on Oct. 17. (Photo: Natan Vigna)
La Sierra University music performance major Julian Jenson performed a portion of Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5" in April as winner of the annual concerto competition. He will perform the entire work with the La Sierra University Orchestra on Oct. 17. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

“It’s about the totality of human experience. [Beethoven] is trying to reach for something sacred,” said the La Sierra University sophomore music performance major. “The thing about this piece is that it has a sort of … quality where it really isn’t about you, the performer, not even about Beethoven himself.”

On Sat., Oct. 17 Jenson will have the opportunity to showcase the musical breadth and depth of Beethoven’s majestic “Piano Concerto No. 5 in E Flat Major,” the Emperor concerto, in a performance with the La Sierra University Orchestra and conductor Dean Anderson. Jenson performed the adagio movement of the piece in April as the first place winner of the university’s 57th annual concerto competition, the $3,000 Marcia Specht Guy Prize. His appearance will be augmented by the orchestra’s performance of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 8 in F Major” in an “All Beethoven” evening of music. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Hole Memorial Auditorium following a pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Anderson, in comments about the famed Concerto No. 5 stated, “There are many tricky spots in the concerto, where the soloist must suddenly make an entrance at points where one would least expect. The final entrance of the orchestra at the end of the third movement comes in right after a fast series of scales and must be timed perfectly by the conductor, which can be difficult if the soloist is not absolutely steady and confident.”

Jenson, whose credits include an appearance on NPR, began studying music at age 4, and at age 6 performed a Mozart piano concerto with the La Mirada Symphony Orchestra. Jenson later won a scholarship to attend the Colburn School for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, and also studied at the Idyllwild Arts Academy. He has performed extensively as a soloist and collaborator. His numerous competition placements include being named a winner of the 2012 Idyllwild Arts Concerto Competition and placing in the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight in 2012 and 2013. Two years ago he appeared on NPR’s “From the Top.” As a young composer, Jenson’s works have been played by many artists including Grammy-nominated Tony Arnold, the Ethel String Quartet and others. 

For further information about the “All Beethoven” concert call 951-785-2036 or email music@lasierra.edu. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside. A campus map is available at https://lasierra.edu/campus-map/.

← Back