Alexander Ghindin, Winner, 2007 Cleveland International Piano Competition
Strauss : Til Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks
Hindemith : Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber
Rachmaninoff : Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor

Pre-concert Prelude at the Z - 6:45 - 7:15 pm
(free with evening ticket purchase)

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Night, “Romantic Gems,” begins with Strauss’s tone-poem Til Eulenspiegel. Musical imagery tells the tale of “roguish” practical joker Til Eulenspeigel, who entered German folklore in the 1500’s. His high-spirited pranks and cataclysmic downfall are illustrated in the dazzling orchestral effects of Strauss’ colorful orchestral masterpiece. Also to be performed will be Paul Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber. One of Hindemith’s most popular pieces, the four movements of this work incorporate themes from Weber’s Piano Duet, Op. 60.4, the Overture to Turandot, the Piano Duet, Op. 3.2, and the Piano Duets, Op. 60.2 and 60.7.

Our Opening Night will also showcase the compelling talent and skill of Russian pianist Alexander Ghindin, winner of the 2007 Cleveland International Piano Competition, as he performs his competition-winning interpretation of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor. Complex and technically demanding, rich in Romantic lyricism and expression, Rachmaninoff’s third Piano Concerto is known as one of the most challenging pieces in the piano repertoire.

Beethoven : Symphony No. 9 with Rhode Island College Chorus & guest Soloists
St. Anthony of Padua Parish / 1359 Acushnet Avenue / New Bedford, MA 02746 / 508.993.1691

Beethoven’s final symphony, Symphony No. 9, is one of the most famous works of Western repertoire. It is considered by many to be, at once the apotheosis of the Classical symphony, and the inauguration of the Romantic symphony to follow. The fourth choral movement has been referred to as a “symphony within a symphony” and features the well-known setting of Goethe’s text “Ode to Joy.” The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra will be joined by the Rhode Island College Chorus, Dr. Teresa Coffman, director and four vocal soloists as we present this monumental masterpiece in the historic St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford for a truly spectacular performance.

The Rhode Island Concert Chorus has performed on tour in Ireland, Great Britain, and Italy, and will tour 2008 Vienna, Slovakia, and Prague this year. They have worked with composers Jean Berger, Michael Remson, and Libby Larsen and with conductor Rodney Eichenberger.

One of the largest and most beautiful Catholic Churches in New England, St. Anthony of Padua Parish was built between 1902-1912. Designed by the Montreal architect Joseph Venne (the architect of the famous St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal) and decorated by two famous Italian artists, Giovanni Castagnoli and Guido Nincheri, the Church would be fitting as the cathedral of any major European City. Among its many features are its renowned 1912 Casavant Frères Organ, its 5,500 decorative lights and its 256-foot steeple. Originally built by French Canadian immigrants to New Bedford, it now serves both English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking Catholics. A full history of the parish is found at www.saintanthonynewbedford.com. Please note that St. Anthony’s is not handicap accessible.

MaryAnne Paquin, Soprano
Jason Robinette, Tenor

We plan to help you Hear the Cheer! this Holiday Season in what will surely be the merriest celebration in town! The NBSO, conducted by Dr. David MacKenzie, and joined by special guests soprano MaryAnne Paquin and tenor Jason Robinette, will present two delightful performances celebrating the joys of the Season. The program will include traditional Holiday favorites, an audience sing-a-long, and some special surprises just for the young ones! Join us for a Winter Wonder-Concert for the whole family!

Eva León, Violin
Debussy : Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Bernstein : Serenade for Violin (after Plato)
Mussorgksy : Pictures at an Exhibition

Pre-concert Prelude at the Z - 6:45 - 7:15 pm
(free with evening ticket purchase)

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s Valentine’s Concert, “Aspects of Love,” begins with Claude Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. Inspired by the fantastical and sensual poem by Stéphane Mallarmé, this vivid, languorous work conveys the longings and desires of the faun as he pursues the nymphs and naiads in the forest. Unsuccessful in his pursuits, the faun drifts off to sleep succumbing to the fantasies of his mind portrayed through the music’s dreamy phrases. Also to be performed will be Maurice Ravel’s colorful orchestration of Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Composed as a memorial to Mussorgsky’s close friend and painter Viktor Hartmann, it guides the “viewer” through an exhibition of ten of Hartmann’s paintings. Imaginative and unique, the piece links each painting or movement with a recurring theme called “Promenade” as the “viewer” passes from one work to the next.

The Valentine’s Concert will feature the young Spanish violin virtuoso Eva León. Hailed by critics as a violinist who “has the power to captivate the five senses of her audience” and described as a “charismatic violinist who possesses, along with her musical talent and tremendous aura, a gift for expression,” this native of the Canary Islands has become one of the most successful Spanish violinists of her generation. Ms. León will perform Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade for Violin (after Plato). Truly unique, it is a philosophical discussion on the praises of love. Based on Plato’s Symposium, the five movements each represent a different distinguished speaker as they present their thoughts on the enigmatic subject of love.

Liszt : Les Preludes
Rimsky-Korsakov : Capriccio Espagnol
Sibelius : Symphony No 2

Pre-concert Prelude at the Z - 6:45 - 7:15 pm
(free with evening ticket purchase)

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert, “An Orchestral Showcase,” focuses the spotlight upon our outstanding orchestra! The program begins with Franz Liszt’s Les Preludes. Most celebrated of his symphonic poems, this introspective piece is based in part on the Méditations Poétiques by Alphonse de Lamartine and contains four sections: 1) Dawn of Existence; Love, 2) Storms of Life, 3) Refuge and Consolation in Rural Life, and 4) Strife and Conquest. Liszt commented on the underlying theme, “What is our Life but a series of Preludes to that unknown chant, the first solemn note of which is sounded by Death?”

Praised for its magnificent orchestration and orchestral effects, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol calls for a large percussion section and utilizes unusual techniques to showcase the instruments of the orchestra. Incorporating lively Spanish folk themes and dance rhythms, the work was enthusiastically received by audiences, musicians, and fellow composers upon its premiere, and has remained one of the most often performed orchestral works.

The final piece of the Spring Concert will be Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2. Sibelius is considered one of the true heirs to Beethoven in the symphonic form and his Second Symphony has been hailed as one of the greatest of Romantic symphonies. Richly orchestrated, dramatic, and tightly constructed, this heroic and optimistic symphony has been uniformly acclaimed since its premiere in 1902.

Richard Stoltzman, Clarinet
Wagner : Overture to Die Meistersinger
Gordon Jenkins : Goodbye,”In Memory of Benny”
Copland : Concerto for Clarinet
Stravinsky : Petrushka Suite (1947 version)

Pre-concert Prelude at the Z - 6:45 - 7:15 pm
(free with evening ticket purchase)

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s Season Finale, “Effervescent Artistry,” begins with Wagner’s Overture to Die Meistersinger. The overture to Wagner’s only comedy amongst his mature operas, Die Meistersinger tells the story of young Walther who must become an accomplished mastersinger in order to win the hand of his true love Eva. Also to be performed will be Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka Suite (1947 version), considered to be one of the most important works of the 20th Century. Filled with dramatic contrasts of emotional impact and musical effect, Stravinsky’s tantalizing music from the ballet score runs the gamut from delicate and shimmering transparency to dark and caustic satire, as it weaves the story of the Russian puppet Petrushka, made of straw and sawdust, who is magically brought to life by the captivating Old Wizard.

The Season Finale Concert will feature two-time Grammy winner Richard Stoltzman. Stoltzman’s virtuosity, musicianship and sheer personal magnetism have made him one of today’s most sought-after concert artists. The New York Times has said of him “His mastery of the clarinet and his impeccable musicianship are no secret by now, but one who has not heard him play for a time can easily forget how rich and fluid the instrument can sound from top to bottom of its range.” - Mr. Stoltzman will be performing Gordon Jenkins’ Goodbye, “In Memory of Benny”, a tribute to Benny Goodman and Aaron Copland’s Concerto for Clarinet, commissioned and first performed by Benny Goodman. Premiered in 1950, the prodigiously difficult work has become one of the most important concertos for clarinet. Incorporating the vernacular of both jazz and Latin American popular music, the work’s driving rhythm and bouncy mood is balanced by a certain “bittersweet lyricism” typical of much of Copland’s post-war music.