Blood, Sweat and Brahms

The Phoenix Symphony and United Blood Services are partnering up again this year for a holiday season blood drive. Perhaps it's only fitting that the kick-off for this event occurs during the weekend of the Symphony's performance of Brahms' 1st Symphony.

Brahms poured every part of his being into the composition of his works and he was extremely self-critical. His 1st Symphony took him the better part of fourteen years to complete as he struggled in his self-imposed shadow of Beethoven's musical legacy. In the end, he triumphed with a monumental work that many still refer to as "Beethoven's 10th". This weekend, conductor Delta David Gier joins The Phoenix Symphony to bring Brahms' most important masterpiece to you.

Just as Brahms remained ever dedicated to his work, the musicians and staff of The Phoenix Symphony renew their dedication to the great work of United Blood Services. The campaign was inspired after The Phoenix Symphony’s music director at that time, Hermann Michael, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare blood disease that affected his body’s ability to produce blood cells. Doctors aggressively treated him with chemotherapy and blood transfusions every few days. Members of the orchestra worked with United Blood Services to hold a blood drive in his honor. In appreciation for Maestro Michael’s lifesaving blood transfusions, The Phoenix Symphony established a partnership with United Blood Services to encourage more people to give blood. Although the maestro succumbed to his blood disease in 2005, The Phoenix Symphony’s annual tradition of saving lives with United Blood Services every Thanksgiving holiday season continues with great ticket incentives when you donate!

So celebrate with us a committment to the higher calling of musical creation as well as providing life-saving blood for the community this weekend. You'll be glad you did!