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Let's Have Some Fun!
Plano Symphony Orchestra
Announces
The 26th 2008-2009 Season!
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Berlioz - Roman Carnival Overture
Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 1
Chopin -Piano Concerto No. 2
Respighi - Pines of Rome
Featuring: Sa Chen, piano
Berlioz starts the fun for Melodic Fireowrks with his high energy curtain raiser, Roman Carnival Overture, which , as the title of the piece implies, is nothing short of a rousing carnival for large orchestra. Chopin wrote two piano concertos filled with both his famous technical demands and sublime melodies. Rarely have these two concertos been performed on the same evening. Sa Chen will perform both concertos, an unsual and extraordinary event! She will record the two Chopin Piano Concertos in July 2008 in Europe. Sa Chen was a winner in the 2000 International Chopin Competition and the Crystal Award recipient fo the Twelfth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition!
What could be more fun than the Canadian Brass known for their dazzling technique, varied repertory and great humor on stage? In addition to maintaining a heavy international touring schedule, the Canadian Brass have recorded nearly seventy albums including popular holiday CD’s. They have commissioned, performed, and recorded hundreds of transcriptions and original works for brass quintet. Named the "world's leading brass ensemble" by The Washington Post and credited as "the men who put brass music on the map", this ensemble is best known for their ability to seamlessly cross between classical, popular and jazz styles. The Canadian Brass is also known for their unique performance attire, often consisting of black suits coupled with white athletic shoes. They have performed with virtually every American and European Orchestra and brought a capacity crowd to their last performance presented by the Plano Symphony Orchestra five years ago. The Canadian Brass is indeed essential for virtuosity, humor, classical and popular music as part of the 2008 – 2009 Season. Subscribe Now!
This performance is presented without the Plano Symphony Orchestra.
Copland: Billy the Kid
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Gershwin: An American in Paris
American favorites with Maureen McGovern by Gershwin, Kern, Porter, Mercer and more!
Michael Schneider, piano
Maureen McGovern , soprano
Who could not have fun listening to perhaps the most famous piano concerto ever written, Gershwin’s beloved “Rhapsody in Blue?” Critics have hailed Michael Schneider as “a pianist with exceptional insight” and a “performer with great panache” in performances across the states and overseas to Poland and France. Recently championing the music of Franz Liszt, Michael was awarded the ‘Demonic Liszt’ Prize at the Competition Internationale held in Sante Fe, New Mexico and won first prize in the Longer Work Category (Dante Sonata). In 2005, he was a top prize winner in the 3rd International Franz Liszt Competition held in Wroçlaw, Poland.
Then, the evening continues with the incomparable Maureen McGovern in favorite American songs. McGovern’s career took off with her recording of “The Morning After,” the theme from the “The Poseidon Adventure,” followed by “We May Never Love Like This Again.” She has made a number of appearances on Broadway from “The Sound of Music” to “Little Women.” Her Carnegie Hall performance of Gershwin Songs was recorded live and released as an album. McGovern has twice been nominated for a Grammy and has appeared with many US Orchestras crossing easily between popular and classical repertory.
Plano’s most popular holiday tradition, sold-out last season, takes you on a musical journey around the world. Enjoy holiday traditions from Germany, France and other countries including many of the popular carols and melodies of the season popular in the US that have their origins in other cultures. And, of course, the performance will feature your holiday favorites including the audience sing-a-long. Hector Guzman, your Orchestra and three outstanding choruses, the Plano Civic Chorus, the St. Andrew United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, and the Friendship-West Baptist Church Choir, are sure to get you in the spirit of the season!!
Mozart: Overture to "The Magic Flute"
Mozart: Symphony No. 31 "Paris"
The von Trapp Singers: The Sound of Music
The beautiful city of Salzburg, Austria, has provided the world with beloved music including perhaps the most famous prodigy that ever lived, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The city also is the home of one of the most famous films ever made, "The Sound of Music." Hector Guzman and your Plano Symphony Orchestra join foces with Mozart and the grandchildren of the von Trapps in a magical evening from Salzburg not to be missed. Join the fun!
The American composer, conductor, and pianist has now enjoyed a celebrated career for six decades that continues at white heat. He is perhaps the most famous composer of film scores including those for Jaws, Star Wars, Superman, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List and Harry Potter, to name a few. He has received an unbelievable 45 Academy Award nominations and is a five-time winner of the Academy Award. He was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame in 2000 and was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004. From 1980 to 1993, John Williams succeeded the legendary Arthur Fiedler as Principal Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. In addition to his film scores, John Williams has composed theme music for four Olympic Games, countless television programs and concert pieces for orchestra and concertos, including a cello concerto premiered by Yo-Yo Ma. His works often require large orchestra and choral forces. Hector Guzman, the Plano Civic Chorus and several characters made famous in movies scored by Williams, join in this semi-staged tribute..
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (multi-media)
Britten: Young People's Guide to the Orchestra
Collin County Young Artist Grand Prize Winners
This performance offers one of the, if not the largest scores for orchestra of the season with Mussorgsky’s mammoth “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Originally a famous suite of ten piano pieces, it has become an orchestral showcase through a number of arrangements with the most famous being the one by Ravel. The work was composed by Mussorgsky in honor of his friend, artist and architect, Viktor Hartman, who died of an aneurism at age 39. Over 400 of Hartman’s works were mounted in the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg in February and March 1874. The work is an imaginary musical tour of parts of the collection including the “Great Gate of Kiev” The multi-media performance will include projections of the famous art works. Also delight to Britten’s famous Young People’s Guide to the Orchestra, and the show-stopping talent of winners from the Collin County Young Artist Competition.
Verdi: Overture to La Forza del Destino
Great Arias with Donnie Ray Albert
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
Donnie Ray Albert, baritone
For a fun 2008 – 2009 Season finale, join Hector Guzman and members of your Plano Symphony for the Orchestra’s first “interactive concert.” Bring your questions for Hector and Orchestra members about those famous four notes and perhaps the most famous symphony ever written and share your questions and answers across the footlights. Follow-up with a post-concert chat between you the audience and the artists on stage. And delight to one of the greatest voices of our time and beloved performers on our stage. By popular demand including requests to hear longer performances by baritone Donnie Ray Albert, this season’s finale includes great arias delivered by Donnie’s thrilling voice. This is a fun finale of great music with Hector, Donnie Ray, the Plano Symphony Orchestra and you.
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972-473-7262!
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