Courtesy of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Heinz Hall

October 6
Happy hour at 5 p.m.; concert at 6:30 p.m.

Courtesy of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Courtesy of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

What would the the lovechild of Ludwig van Beethoven and Chris Martin look like and sound like? You’d have to see it, and hear it, to believe it, and thankfully you can at the next installment of FUSE@PSO.

Ninteenth-century symphonic sounds and alternative Brit rock will collide when the refreshing new FUSE@PSO event returns to Heinz Hall on Tuesday, October 6th. Presented by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra—and conducted and conceived by Steve Hackman—the genre-smashing series re-imagines classical masterworks while simultaneously honoring their source music and moving boldly into uncharted sonic waters.

Courtesy of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Courtesy of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Audiences will be treated to a never-before-heard hybrid featuring Beethoven’s legendary “Eroica Symphony” and songs from Coldplay’s catalog, including material from the British band’s acclaimed albums, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) and Mylo Xyloto (2011). Fans of both classical and modern music alike will experience the music in entirely new ways (read: remixing and mashups), and are sure to come away inspired and challenged by Hackman’s passionate and virtuosic re-interpretations as they that explore the universal themes, emotional intensity and musicality of both Beethoven and Coldplay.

Courtesy of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Courtesy of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

With Hackman at the helm, the production will culminate with a stirring rendition of Beethoven’s “Finale: Allegro molto,” which will incorporate Coldplay’s 2008 anthem, “Viva la Vida,” a single from the band’s fourth studio album.

Hackman’s last edition of the FUSE concept featured a blend of  Brahms and Radiohead. A conductor, composer, arranger, producer, pianist and singer-songwriter who is fluent in both classical and popular repertoire, Hackman studied conducting and counterpoint/composition at Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music.

Be sure to arrive at 5 p.m. for a happy hour in Heinz Hall’s tranquil garden, with pre-concert beats from local DJs, drinks, snacks and mingling with the musicians. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. and it’s open seating with drinks allowed. Tickets are only $30, so grab them now.

Mark your 2016 calendars now for the next FUSE@PSO concerts on January 27th and March 9th.

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and SLB Radio Productions. She is co-author of the award-winning book, "Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania." For 15-plus years, she was co-coordinator and marketing director with Handmade Arcade, Pittsburgh's first and largest independent craft fair. She makes music as The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.