Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

Tito Muñoz, conductor The Phoenix Symphony Chorus, Dr. Thomas Bookhout, chorus master Felicia Moore, soprano Briana Elyse Hunter, mezzo soprano Miles Mykkanen, tenor Norman Garrett, baritone Beethoven’s ninth and final symphony, premiered years after illness left the composer completely deaf, revolutionized the symphonic form with vocal soloists and a chorus joining the orchestra to sing his setting of Friedrich Schiller’s poem “Ode to Joy,” celebrating the brotherhood of all humanity. Premiered 200 years ago with Beethoven seated beside the conductor facing the orchestra, at its conclusion, one of the soloists turned the composer around to see the thunderous applause he no longer could hear. Tito Muñoz leads four vocal soloists, The Phoenix Symphony Chorus and orchestra in this orchestral masterpiece. Praised for his versatility, technical clarity, and keen musical insight, Tito Muñoz is internationally recognized as one of the most gifted conductors on the podium today. After 10 years as the Virginia G. Piper Music Director of The Phoenix Symphony, Tito’s tenure, one of the longest in the organization’s history, concluded at the end of the 2023-24 season. Concert Repertoire Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 “Choral”