Local
Norwalk Symphony invites fans to "Hear the World"
By Norwalk Symphony Orchestra
Sep 5, 2008 - 6:47:11 AM

Norwalk, CT - Subscriptions are now on sale for the Norwalk Symphony's 2008--2009 season of six exciting and innovative concerts conducted by Maestro Diane' Wittry. The theme for the season is "Hear the World, One Country at a Time," with each concert focusing on the music of a different nation. As it has in the past, the Symphony will supplement its own superb playing with soloists drawn from among the best young talent in the world. It will also continue offering the creative programming and inventive collaborations that have become a Wittry trademark. The sponsors for this season are Wall Street Place/POKO Partners, LLC, The Hilton Garden Inn, and the Connecticut Commission for Arts and Tourism.

The season gets off to an explosive start on Saturday, September 27 with a concert entitled "From Russia With Love." The program. features three typically Russian works, though of different periods and styles.

Wittry, who proclaims her love for the variety of Russian music and its ability to engage the emotions of both players and audience, opens with the Overture from the opera Russlan and Ludmilla (1842) by Mikhail Glinka, a piece she describes as, "fast and fun—a power house opening."

Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 26, in C major (1921) was chosen to showcase the talents of Chinese virtuoso Hao Chen Zhang. Just 18 years old and a rising superstar, Zhang studies In the USA. under Curtis Institute's Gary Graffman. To date,, he has won every international competition that Lang Lang won and Wittry is convinced that he will enjoy a career of equal distinction.

The Piano Concerto No. 3 is Prokofiev's most popular concerto and also the most widely recorded. It is, says Wittry, "flamboyant, in your face, the kind of virtuoso composition that can earn a standing ovation." She has no doubt that, matched with Zhang's talent, it will bring the house down.

The final piece for the evening is Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, Op. 64, in E minor (1888) one of the composer's most popular works. Wittry describes it as a fitting contrast to the other two compositions personal and about serious emotions. "It starts with music that is dark and questioning," she explains, "and moves to a triumphant conclusion... just the right feeling to open our season." The sponsors for this concert are Benefit Planning Services, James P. Murphy & Associates, Mr. Howard Aibel, and the John and Evelyn Kossack Foundation.

Moving from Russia to England, the Symphony continues the season on Saturday December 13 with Handel's Messiah. As in last year's sold out performance, NSO will partner with the award-winning Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut. Handel wrote many different versions of Messiah, giving Wittry the ability to keep the performance fresh from year to year through the selection of different arias. This year, she will include new selections for the chorus as well. A perennial favorite, Messiah is a perfect family event—and a perfect way to start the holiday season.

"The Prodigy Concert" on January 24 also continues an NSO tradition that has become an audience favorite. The concert will showcase the most extraordinary young musical talent in the area, allowing them to play alongside the professional musicians of the NSO. This year's prodigy concert is entitled "Fiesta" and will feature music with a Latin Spanish flair.

"Latin music is characterized by rhythm and heavily influenced by dance," Wittry says with ert!

th enthusiasm. "This will be an exceptionally exciting cone L

Spaniard Manuel de Falla's "Spanish Dance" from his opera La Vida Breve (1905) will set the mood for the evening with the traditional flamenco sound of old Spain. That will be followed by The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires (1953) by Astor Piazzolla. Born in Argentina in 1921, Piazzolla has been called the most important figure in the history of tango. His music combines tango rhythms with jazz and classical harmonies to create a distinctive musical sound. Violinist Lindsey Deutsch, a 23-year-old American virtuoso who has been concertizing professionally since she was 11. will join the orchestra as soloist for the piece. The Los Angeles Times called Ms. Deutsch "world class," proclaiming that she has "the technical equipment and temperament for a big career." NSO audiences will surely agree.

The concert moves to Mexico for Danzon No. 2 (1994) by Arturo Marquez. The son of a mariachi, Marquez is known for weaving traditional Mexican dance themes into his compositions, producing, Wittry says, tunes audiences love. So popular is Danzon No. 2, that it is said to be considered a second national anthem by the people of Mexico.

Next, it's off to Brazil for Bachiana Brasilerias No. 5 by Heitor Villa Lobos. The orchestra will be joined by a soprano as they perform what Wittry calls "a beautiful piece, very much a song."

The final selection, Capriccio Espagnol. Op. 34, is Spanish in spirit, though composed by Russian Rimsky-Korsakov. An older piece (1887) -it rounds out a concert that mixes classical Latin rhythms with edgier new sounds from this vibrant tradition,

On Saturday March 28, it's "Vive La France!" featuring music by Debussy (Petite Suite), Ravel (Concerto in D Major for Left Hand) and Cesar Franck (Symphony in D minor). Guest artist for the evening will be celebrated. pianist Gary Graffman.

Graffman, who served as president of the fat-tied Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia from 1995 until 2006, has been a major figure in the music world since winning the prestigious Leventritt Award in 1949. For the next three decades he toured almost continuously, playing the most demanding works in the piano literature. In 1979, Mr. Graffman's performing career was curtailed by an injury to his right hand. His performances are now limited to the small but brilliant repertoire of concertos written for the left hand alone, including the Ravel Concerto that lie will play with the NSO.

"Gary is an amazing musician who has taught most of the star pianists of the last 20 years, including our soloist Hao Chen Zhang," Wittry says. "We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of his status joining us for this concert. You will not believe," she promises, "what he can do with one hand until you hear him play this concerto.

"French music is all about color and voicing and beautiful melodies," she continues. "Debussy, Ravel and Frank, while all characteristically French, are very different composers and it will be interesting to explore them together."

On Saturday April 18, the tour stops in the United States with The Three Broadway Divas: An Alien.-an Tribute. "The Divas, who will sing accompanied by their own combo, bring decades of experience and energy to the stage. They will offer a spectacular blend of Broadway favorites including music by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Lerner & Loewe, Leonard Bernstein. Jerry Herman, and Rodgers and Hart.

The final concert, on Saturday, May 16, offers another outstanding collaboration. The Symphony, under Maestro Wittry, is joined by Johannes Somary and his Fairfield County Chorale for "La Dolce Vita: A Night at the Opera." The evening features arias and solos from some of the best loved Italian operas including The Barber of Seville (Rossini). Turandot and La Boheme (Puccini) Cavalleria rusticana (Mascagni). La Traviata and Aida (Verdi) and many others.

As always, the season's offerings will be augmented by a series of events, including "(Not) Just for Kids," and school outreach programs, designed to turn each concert into a community happening. And each concert will be preceded by one of Maestro Wittry's Podium Perspectives talks, to which she intends to impart a different twist this year by giving audience members the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the various guest artists. Subscription buyers can also choose to add extra events including "Opera for All," a family concert on Sunday May 17.

Subscriptions for the 2007-2008 NSO season are now available by calling the Symphony office at 203-847-8844. Information is also available at www.norwalksymphonv.org.

The Norwalk Symphony performs at the Norwalk Concert Hall, which, in addition to its excellent acoustics, boasts the advantages of being easy to reach from 195 exit 16. The Concert Hall offers ample free parking.


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