|
Last performed by the MVSO in March of 1996, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor headlines the April 29 and April 30, 2006, concert performances, bringing to a close the exciting 2005-2006 season. Alejandro Rivas takes the MVSO podium to lead the orchestra in two performances of a program rich in music from the heart of classical music's Romantic Period. After earlier, more eclectic programs, such as the fall performance with composers as diverse as Leos Janacek and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and its most recent program, featuring music composed in 1805, 1900, and 2005, the MVSO spring offering will focus on pieces written and premiered within a few decades of each other from 1846 to 1888. To complement the Tchaikovsky symphony, Mr. Rivas has chosen works by Hector Berlioz and Camille Saint-Saëns. Berlioz's Marche Hongroise, also known as Rákóczi March, considered the unofficial state anthem of Hungary, is actually music by an anonymous composer of the late 18th century and is believed to have been the favorite of Francis Rakoczy II of Transylvania. The version known to modern audiences is Berlioz's setting of the music within the so-called "dramatic legend", The Damnation of Faust, composed in 1846. Completing the program's romantic tour de force, is the exciting Rondo capriccioso of Camille Saint-Saëns for orchestra and solo violin. Both Rondo capriccioso and his First Violin Concerto were written for virtuoso Spanish violinist Pablo Sarasate—and both have endured and remain enormously popular works both for violinists and audiences. Saint-Saëns' works, including the Rondo, reflect his traditional approach to composition and his devotion to classical forms. Although Saint-Saëns lived until 1921, he vigorously opposed modern music in the early 20th century--the heyday of Stravinsky, Bartok, Berg, and Hindemith, just to name a few.
Thanks to an Ohio Arts Council operating grant, the MVSO is pleased to announce that its February 18 and 19, 2006, subscription series performances, conducted by Randall S. Paul, will be presented free of charge. Due to limited seating, the MVSO is distributing tickets (contact the MVSO for more information). No one will be turned away, but tickets, especially for the 8PM Saturday, February 18, performance at Epiphany Lutheran Church are recommended. The musically diverse program (spanning two centuries) opens with Finlandia, a piece that is perhaps the most famous of Finnish nationalist composer Jean Julius Christian Sibelius's works. Finlandia was composed in 1899 and first performed in 1900. The concert continues featuring Dr. Ludolf van der Hoeven performing the exciting and challenging Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4, first performed in Vienna nearly one century earlier, on December 22, 1808. From the early 19th century, Dr. Paul and the MVSO will then transport the audience 200 years forward for the world premiere performance of Dr. Leland Bland's Threads of Silk, commissioned for the MVSO. Karen Gorden has appeared on numerous concert stages in Europe and the United States including appearances with Dallas, Knoxville, Minnesota and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestras. She has worked with some of today's best-known composers such as Elliott Carter, Jacob Druckman and John Harbison. Ms Gorden is also well-known to European concert-goers having conducting orchestras in Switzerland , the Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany, including the Salzburg and Bayreuth summer festivals with conductors Daniel Barenboim and Pierre Boulez. The MVSO is proud to announce that Ms Gorden will take the podium to rehearse and conduct the MVSO in its opening concert performances of the 2005-2006 Season. The MVSO will be performing the overture to Mozart's opera The Abduction from the Seraglio in a new concert version commissioned by the Ohio Arts Council and written by Ms. Gorden. The October concert will also feature Gustav Mahler's famous work for baritone and orchestra, Songs of a Wayfarer. Baritone Chris Moore will join Ms Gorden and the MVSO as soloist. In addition, the brass section (and a battery of ancillary trumpets, horns, and euphoniums) will get a rare opportunity to perform Leos Janacek's Sinfonfietta, scored for full symphony orchestra plus nine trumpets, two bass trumpets, and two Wagnerian tubas. Be sure to mark your calendars for October 8 and 9, 2005 when the internationally acclaimed Ms Gorden will take the MVSO podium for her Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra conducting debut. Information is available at www.mvso.org or by calling the Miami Valley Symphony at 937-476-5043. September 1, 2005—Four Guest Conductors to Lead MVSO in 2005-2006 Season The Miami Valley Symphony is pleased to announce that it has secured four outstanding Miami Valley conductors to lead its 2005-2006 season. Coming from a wide variety of backgrounds, the programs and styles of the 2005-2006 season are sure to offer something for everyone. Conductors following in the footsteps of James Johnston, who guest-conducted the final two programs of the 2004-2005 season, will include Karen Gorden, Ian Polster, Randall S. Paul, and Alejandro Rivas. Each guest conductor brings a different emphasis and focus to the MVSO's season. Ms Gorden is highlighting Leos Janacek's Sinfonietta, a 20th century masterpiece featuring a battery of 13 additional brass players. In December, the MVSO will provide the music for Springfield's Ohio Performing Arts Institute's production of the Tchaikovsky classic The Nutcracker, with composer-arranger-performer and long time Wittenberg University faculty member Ian Polster on the podium. Dr. Randall S. Paul takes the MVSO baton for the February 18, 19, 2006, performances which feature a world premiere performance of a work commissioned by Dr. Paul on behalf of the MVSO and composed by Dr. Leland Bland. Highlighting the February concert will be a performance of the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5, with Dr. Ludolf van der Hoeven at the piano. Both Dr. Paul and Dr. Bland are members of the Wright State University faculty. The final concert performances of the 2005-2006, MVSO season will be conducted by Alejandro Rivas, a native of Venezuela. Mr. Rivas' program features violin soloist Saejin Yoon performing the dazzling Rondo capriccioso of Camille Saint-Saëns. Closing the exciting 2005-2006 season will be the Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 in e Minor, last performed by the MVSO in 1996.
James Johnston will remain on the MVSO podium to complete the 2004-2005 Subscription Season. After a successful debut with the orchestra conducting the February 19, 20, 2005, concert performances, Mr. Johnston will be returning to conduct Wagner's Prelude und Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde, Franz Listz's Totentanz, featuring pianist Don Hageman, and Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 1 in Bb, the "Spring Symphony". James is currently on the faculty of Antioch University, Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mr. Johnston is a violinist and pianist as well as a conductor and has led the Yellow Springs Community Orchestra in performances over the past several years. Feb 20, 2005—Viola Soloist Sarah Murphy Delivers Stirring Performance The winner of the MVSO's Third Annual Clark Haines Memorial Concerto Competition, Sarah Murphy, joined the orchestra for its third subscription concert of the season, performing the first movement of Ernest Bloch's Suite Hèbraïque. The concert featured the music of disparate places and cultures. Twentieth century American composer William Schuman's setting of 18th century American composer William Billing's popular tunes stand in sharp contrast to the flowing Bohemian melodies of Antonín Dvořák's Czech Suite. In similar fashion, the Bloch Suite casts the solo viola in the role of Jewish cantor, while Maurice Ravel's Bolero (the longest crescendo ever written) evokes the dance music of Spanish Gypsies. Miss Murphy, who plans to major in viola performance and microbiology when she begins college this fall, displayed the passion, poise, and technique that allowed her to win the MVSO's competition in the summer of 2004 against stiff competition. The orchestra plans an exciting final concert of the season featuring pianist Don Hageman performing the Liszt Totentanz, Wagner's Prelude und Liebestod, and Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 1 in Bb. Dec 14, 2004—15th Anniversary Concert Heard by Near-Record Audiences! Although there is no official attendance number, estimates place the total audience for the MVSO 15th Anniversary Celebration concert weekend at approximately 500! Orchestra members particularly enjoyed performing at Parkview UM. The MVSO Board wishes to thank Parkview United Methodist and MVSO member Barb Van Doren. SPECIAL Saturday Performance at Parkview United Methodist -- FREE to the Public The Saturday, December 11, 2004, performance will be held at Parkview United Methodist Church. Parkview UM is located at 3713 Benner Road, Miamisburg, Ohio. As a special 15th anniversary gift to its supporters and friends, the MVSO has announced that there will be no admission charge for the December concert performances. The MVSO encourages everyone who is planning to attend to invite neighbors, friends, and family to this special event. Sep 28, 2004—Habitat for Humanity Dedicates Dayton Arts House 2004 Clark J. Haines Memorial Concerto Competition Winner Announced The 3rd Annual Clark J. Haines Memorial Concerto Competition Prize Awarded to Sarah Murphy Sarah Murphy, a senior at Oakwood High School, took the top prize in the 2004 Concerto Competition besting a small but extremely talented field of competitors. Sarah, a violist, performed a movement from the Ernest Bloch Suite Hebraique. She will be appear with the MVSO on February 19 and 20, 2005. (more) 2004-2005 Sunday Performances Remain at 3:00 PM Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra Sunday performances will begin at 3:00 PM Eastern time. The performances will continue to be held at Shiloh Church.
2004-2005 Saturday Performances Remain at Epiphany Lutheran Church Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra Saturday performances on October 16, 2004, February 19, 2005, and and April 30, 2005, will take place at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 6430 Far Hills Avenue, Centerville, Ohio 45459. |
|
News Archives |
|
|
|
Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra |
|
“To promote musical activities and programs for the cultural and educational benefit of the public” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
© Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra. All Rights Reserved. Information on this website can not be reproduced without written permission from the MVSO Board of Directors |