Lancaster Symphony Orchestra Masterfully Closing Its 60th Anniversary Season May 16-18, 2008.

LANCASTER, PA -- With a climax the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra will close its 60th anniversary season May 16, 17 and 18, 2008, with “The Essential Rachmaninoff & Ravel.” Under the direction of maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser, the Orchestra will showcase two works by beloved masters, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Maurice Ravel.

Rachmaninoff’s majestic Symphonic Dances will display his magnificent gift for melody and his magical ability to capture orchestral color. Ravel’s La Valse will treat concert-goers to the beauty of the waltz in moving contrast to the cynicism and bitterness of wartime Vienna.

In classic “Only in Lancaster” style, the last concert of the 2007-2008 season will also feature an internationally distinguished guest soloist. British-born pianist Ian Hobson will display his amazing talents in the Pennsylvania premiere of Ignace Jan Paderewski’s Piano Concerto in A minor. Tinged with folk music inflections from Paderewski’s native Poland, his concerto abounds with rich, appealing melodies” and offers the perfect “vehicle for virtuoso display (The Sunday Telegraph).”

Pianist Ian Hobson is known throughout the world for his tremendous versatility. “Breathtaking pianism,” proclaimed Ensemble. “[His] pianism is brilliant,” echoed American Record Guide.

Ian Hobson studied music at the Royal Academy of Music and Cambridge University. He joined the world stage when he was awarded first prize at the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition. Since then, he has performed with major orchestras around the globe including the Royal Philharmonic, Israel Sinfonietta, Das Orchester der Beethovenhalle and the symphony orchestras of Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Baltimore and Houston. In addition, his talents can be enjoyed on more than 20 recordings.

The May 16-18 Classic Series concert weekend will be performed at the historic Fulton Opera House at 12 North Prince Street in Downtown Lancaster. Ample parking is available adjacent to the Fulton and at the Prince Street garage.

Friday’s opening night performance begins at 8 pm. Saturday concerts are at 3 pm and 8 pm. A Sunday matinee will be performed at 3 pm, followed by an evening concert at 7:30 pm.

A free concert lecture will be held an hour before each performance at the Fulton. A free “Meet the Musicians” reception will follow Friday night’s concert in the Fulton lobby. Refreshments will be catered by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and a cash bar will be open.

Tickets may be reserved by calling the Fulton box office at (717) 397-7425. Single ticket prices range from $23 to $58. Special discounts are offered to groups of 10 or more concert-goers except Sunday evening concerts.

Classic Concert ticket prices include a $2 surcharge for the Fulton Historic Preservation Fund. These dollars are paid directly to the Fulton Opera House to repay funds loaned by the City of Lancaster to help with the 1995 renovation of the National Historic Landmark.

Underwriting the Lancaster Symphony’s 2007-2008 season is Sound Discovery sponsor, Highmark Blue Shield. Sponsoring its Classic Series are Bank of Lancaster County, Electron Energy Corporation, Elizabethtown College, Fulton Financial Advisors, Franklin & Marshall College, Millersville University and TriStarr Staffing. Encore hospitality sponsor is FENZ Restaurant.

Music Discovery Experience sponsor is Lancaster General. First Look hospitality sponsor is Carr’s Restaurant. Season automotive sponsor is Mercedes Benz of Lancaster, and season media sponsor is WITF FM 89.5. Guest artist sponsor is The Hershey Company.

“Sound Discovery” music education lead partner is the Women’s Symphony Association.

The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra’s 60th anniversary season has marked maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser’s 27th year as the creative leader of the Symphony. For 23 years the Grammy-nominated musician also led the Delaware Symphony. In 2004, he served as artistic advisor and principal conductor for the Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra. He maintains a regular guest conducting schedule in Bogota and with symphony orchestras all over the world. The prolific conductor has made 66 recordings and sold over 2 million CDs.

Over its 60 seasons, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra has evolved from a community orchestra into an organization of professional musicians serving 52,000 music enthusiasts with 28 yearly subscription concerts, a new holiday concert, a New Year’s Eve gala celebration and a spring “Audience Requests” concert weekend.

The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra is a 75-member, professional orchestra that was founded in 1947 by Frederick S. Klein and John H. Peifer, Jr. from Franklin & Marshall College. Its first director, Louis Vyner, led the Orchestra for 32 years.

The orchestra 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 M. Scott Robinson.

Ticket sales revenues and donations from hundreds of corporate and private benefactors underwrite the Symphony’s invaluable contribution to the quality of life in south central Pennsylvania.

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