As Above, So Below

Echo Chamber Orchestra presents "As Above, So Below" on October 24 featuring a world premiere by San Francisco composer Matt Rupert and Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto with celebrated Marin pianist Jim Stopher. Daniel Canosa conducts the 7:30 PM performance at the First Presbyterian Church, 72 Kensington Road, San Anselmo.

Taking Gustav Holst's The Planets \(1914-17\) as inspiration, Rupert's Other Worlds goes beyond the concept of setting the original eight known planets to music. Other Worlds taps into the mythological and scientific features of more recently discovered exterrestrial bodies. Its five movements explore moons from Saturn, Venus and Jupiter; a dwarf planet in the asteroid belt; and Theia, the hypothetical ancient planet thought to have collided with Earth to create our moon. Other Worlds is scored for chamber orchestra with electric guitar, alto flute, and enhanced percussion and will be performed with visual projections by Damon Mahoney.

From its revolutionary opening bars, Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto breaks the mold for soloistic expressivity. Composed in 1805-06 and publicly premiered in 1808, it became Beethoven's final performance as a piano soloist, as his increasing deafness drew him out of the spotlight. Jim Stopher is enthusiastic about bringing music to residents of Marin County, both through his work at the College of Marin and with initiatives in community organizations including the Marin Philosophical Society, San Rafael Algebra Academy, Chamber Musicians of Northern California, and solo concerto appearances with the Mill Valley Philharmonic, the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Lucas Valley Chamber Orchestra.

Tickets are $30 and available at the door. Meet the artists at a post-concert reception. Designated accessible parking is available. For information email [email protected].