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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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An epic beginning

Spokane Symphony music director Eckart Preu chose
Spokane Symphony music director Eckart Preu chose

The Spokane Symphony kicks off its 2008-09 season Saturday with an epic piece by composer Richard Strauss.

Strauss’ “Alpine Symphony,” which calls for an expanded orchestra and exotic percussion, is performed so infrequently that conductor Eckart Preu has never heard a live performance of it.

Preu says he chose the piece because he wanted an opening concert that will be on the same scale as the closing performance of Beethoven’s Ninth, scheduled for May 2009.

Balancing out the program is Violin Concerto No. 1 by Max Bruch, featuring guest soloist Elina Vähälä, and Mozart’s Overture to “The Abduction from the Seraglio.”