May, Classic Tchaikovsky, Inspiring Dvorak & Muse

Ivan Rudin, piano
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Classic Tchaikovsky, Inspiring Dvořák & Muse

Immense Brilliance Honored in Grand Style.
A Pennsylvania Premiere. An American Debut. The 50th Anniversary of an Annual Award.

LANCASTER, PA -- On May 20, 21 and 22, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra will once again delight its audiences and pay tribute to musical brilliance from around the world with unique concert experiences offered “Only in Lancaster!”

A masterwork of the legendary Russian composer Tchaikovsky will be honored with the American debut performance of a rising virtuoso pianist. But first, concertgoers will be enchanted by the Pennsylvania premiere of Dvořák’s Symphonic Variations. This special concert will also include Muse, a selection from Christopher Theofanidis, this year’s recipient of the Symphony’s 50th annual Composer’s Award.

The evening will begin with a glorious opus, Dvořák’s Symphonic Variations. “This theme is a Bohemian folk song with 26 variations,” said Stephen Gunzenhauser, music director and conductor of Lancaster Symphony Orchestra. “I first became acquainted with this beautiful work when the Slovak Philharmonic asked me to record it. To my knowledge, this will be the Pennsylvania premiere!”

Tchaikovsky‘s Piano Concerto No. 1, one of the Russian master’s greatest works, will feature virtuoso Russian pianist Ivan Rudin in his American debut. This brilliant, international award-winning young Russian pianist began his career as a graduate of the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatoire. “This will be Rudin’s first appearance before a US audience,” “shared Gunzenhauser. “I recruited Ivan Rudin for this concert when I was judging the 4th Annual Kazakhstan Piano Competition and he won the Silver Medal, in a field that usually awards the Gold only to native-born entrants. I am confident that Ivan’s stage presence and electricity will thrill our audience!”

As a part of the May concert, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra will continue its tradition of honoring a living American composer by hosting its annual Composer’s Award presentation. This year will mark the 50th presentation of the award – the longest-standing composer’s award tradition in the USA. This year’s recipient will be acclaimed composer Christopher Theofanidis. The Symphony will feature his work Muse, which was written to showcase the variety of sounds and rhythms in the string sections. There is an electricity in the third movement that is reminiscent of the music of the television show, “The Tudors.” Theofanidis has led orchestras around the world, and currently teaches at the Yale School of Music. He will be honored at a donor reception Thursday evening and will attend all performances. He will meet concertgoers at the Symphony’s free “Meet the Musicians” reception after the Friday concert in the Fulton lobby.

FEATURED ARTIST/COMPOSER’s BIO INFO:
Ivan Rudin http://www.imgartists.com/index.php?page=artist&id=1180

Christopher Theofanidis http://www.theofanidismusic.com/Biography.html

DATES/TIMES:
Friday, May 20 at 8 pm
Free Post-Concert “Meet the Musicians” reception

Saturday, May 21 at 3 pm and 8 pm

Sunday, May 22 at 7:30 pm

VENUE:

The Fulton Opera House, 12 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603

TICKETS:
Tickets (717) 397-7425

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