MSU Symphony Orchestra announces 2010-11 season
Contact: Kathleen Adams, (517) 353-9958, adamsk10@msu.edu
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra announces its 2010-11 season, which promises an exciting, diverse repertoire and renowned guest artists – all notable soloists who perform with major orchestras.
Maestro Leon Gregorian, music director-conductor of MSU orchestras, promises high quality performances from the 110-member ensemble made up of the top student musicians in the College of Music.
“When people come and hear this orchestra play,” Gregorian says, “if they close their eyes, they will not know that young people are playing. We don’t play miniatures. We play the same repertoire that the big orchestras in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Boston play. We may have more rehearsals, but that’s the advantage of being a first-class university ensemble. We certainly have the talent.”
The diverse repertoire includes classics by Beethoven, Debussy, Bartok, Brahms, and Saint-Saëns as well as two world premiere concertos.
MSU Symphony Orchestra lineup includes:
Concert 3: Saturday, November 13, 2010, 8 p.m., venue TBA, Leon Gregorian, conductor Carnival Overture by Dvořák promises to jumpstart this concert with energy and exuberance. This bubbly, and romantic piece was written in 1891 as the middle work in a set of three overtures titled Nature, Life and Love. Like so much of Dvořák’s music, it is full of dance rhythms and the sounds of folk music from his native Bohemia.
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Schumann’s birth, guest artist Suren Bagratuni, cellist and chairperson of the string area at the College of Music, will perform one of his favorite concertos with the orchestra – Schumann’s Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra. Written near the end of Schumann’s career, the concerto was labeled by legendary cellist Pablo Casals as “one of the finest works one could wish to hear.”
Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, considered one of the master’s greatest and most beautiful compositions, will be the final piece in this concert. “Portraying his incredible imagination and fine craftsmanship,” says Gregorian, “this piece is one of Brahms’ most beautiful works.”
Tickets for each of the previously listed concerts are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors; they can be purchased at the door 30 minutes before the event or at 102 Music Building during business hours. Admission is free for students with ID and anyone under 18 years of age.
