To the Nines

You know the story: Beethoven was deaf when he wrote his ninth and final symphony based on a poem by Friedrich Schiller called "Ode to Joy." You know the story because it's one of the most recognizable pieces of music in the Western canon, a symbol of genius, progress, and civilization. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is also the first performance of the 2009-10 season of the New World Symphony, for which they've brought in four accomplished guest soloists: Metropolitan Opera's Christine Brewer, Grammy Award-winner Anthony Dean Griffey, Kendall Gladen, and Luca Pisaroni, with NWS director Michael Tilson Thomas conducting and the chorus provided by the Master Chorale of South Florida and the University of Miami Frost Chorale. In other words, no punches have been pulled for this weekend's performances at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing arts.

And on Saturday, the party doesn't stop when the final fourth movement crescendo ends, thanks to Friends of NWS and their title sponsor, the Marquis luxury condominium and hotel tower, where the Friends will host a 10 p.m. after-party with open bar and light fare. If you're already a Friend, the after-party is free. (It's $40 if not.) You can handle all that joy, can't you?
Sat., Oct. 24, 8 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 25, 2 p.m., 2009