Fantastique Berlioz
Featuring an Epic Orchestra. . . A singular talent with a dual role. . . and One Unusual Instrument.
LANCASTER, PA -- The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra will present one of the most impressive works ever composed, Symphonie Fantastique, a romantic, enduring masterpiece by composer Hector Berlioz. This grand performance opens with French Composer Lalo’s Overture to his opera Le roi d’Ys.
In a rare dual role, violinist Igor Yuzefovich will be performing as the soloist for Chausson’s mystifying Poème and Ravel’s enchanting Tzigane. Then Yuzefovich will change roles and become concertmaster for Berlioz’ Fantastique.
“I enjoy tremendously being a featured soloist just as much as being a concertmaster, said Yuzefovich. “While the two jobs are quite different, they also have many similarities As a soloist, you lead the performance musically and most aspects of interpretation are up to you. As concertmaster, you are in charge of interpreting the conductor's ideas, while leading the string section. There is a leadership role in both of these duties, and both have room for individuality.”
Yuzefovich further explains, “The second half of this program just happens to be one of my favorite pieces, the Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz! It would have been quite disappointing for me to have missed an opportunity to experience this amazing feeling with the talented musicians we have here in the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra.”
This performance of Fantastique will offer the audience a rare opportunity to experience the unusual sounds of the ophicleide, the instrument for which it was originally composed. Most orchestras substitute the more commonly-found tuba in their performances (the ophicleide was the predecessor to the tuba),
“I will be playing the ophicleide and I want our audience to see and hear the unusual sounds from the original ‘tuba.’” said Dr. Jonathan Fowler, Instructor of Tuba & Euphonium, Department of Music at West Chester University. “By featuring this uncommon instrument ‘Only in Lancaster’ with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, we are showcasing a rare and sought-after performance!”
FEATURED SOLO ARTIST/CONCERTMASTER’S BIO INFO:
Igor Yuzefovich: www.igory.net/home.html
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE Ophicleide:
http://www.contrabass.com/pages/ophicleide.html
DATES/TIMES:
Friday, April 15 at 8 pm
Free Post-Concert “Meet the Musicians” reception
Saturday, April 16 at 3 pm and 8 pm
Sunday, April 17 at 7:30 pm
VENUE:
The Fulton Opera House
12 North Prince Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
TICKETS from $25
Tickets (717) 397-7425
www.LancasterSymphony.org
MORE ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA
Underwriting the Lancaster Symphony’s 2010-2011 Season are Willow Valley Retirement Communities, Willow Valley Associates Inc. and Lancaster General Health. Clermont Wealth Strategies at Fulton Bank, Electron Energy Corp., Elizabethtown College, Franklin & Marshall College, Millersville University, TriStarr Staffing, Carr’s Restaurant, FENZ Restaurant, PNC Bank, The Hershey Company, Wachovia and Wiley’s Pharmacy will also be helping support the season. Other sponsors include Palm Bay Imports, Isaac’s Deli, The Standard Group, Brookshire Printing, Inc., DePaul Planning & Design and the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra League. Season media sponsor will be WITF FM 89.5.
Our 2010-2011 “Only in Lancaster” season marks Maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser’s 30th year as the music director of the Symphony. The Grammy-nominated musician also led the Delaware Symphony for 23 years. In 2004, he served as artistic advisor and principal conductor for the Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra. He maintains a regular guest-conducting schedule with symphony orchestras all over the world. In addition, he has been a distinguished judge at the Ragusa Ibla International Music Competition in Italy and the Piano Competition in Kazakhstan. The prolific conductor has made 66 recordings and sold over 2 million CDs.
The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra is a 70-member professional ensemble that was founded in 1947 by Frederick S. Klein and John H. Peifer, Jr. from Franklin & Marshall College. Now in its 63rd season, the Symphony has evolved into a professional regional orchestra serving over 30,000 music enthusiasts annually. Its annual program includes 24 classical music concerts, a family holiday concert, a New Year’s Eve celebration, a free, outdoor community patriotic concert, and its nationally-recognized Sound Discovery Community Engagement programs which benefit more than 8,500 students annually.
The Symphony is a non-profit organization governed by a board of 30 community volunteers and managed by a professional staff under the direction of president and chief executive officer Scott Robinson. Ticket sales, individual contributions, corporate gifts, and foundation and government grants help underwrite the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra’s invaluable contribution to the quality of life in South Central Pennsylvania.
For more information, contact:
Soni Dimond, SONI DIMOND MEDIA, SDM
717 569 7176 Office, 717 575 1217 Cell