Monday, January 23, 2012

World Renowned Pianist Live in Concert


            The Orchestra of Southern Utah is pleased to welcome world famous pianist Kirill Gliadkovsky to the Heritage Center for the Orchestra’s “Russian Romantic Masterpieces Concert” on Thursday, February 23 at 7:30 pm. 
Since making his first public appearance in his native Russia at the age of six, Gliadkovsky’s performances have been met with great enthusiasm by both audiences and music critics.  He has performed extensively in Europe, Russia and North America and is currently on leave from SUU to concertize.  OSU is delighted to have this Cedar City resident return home for this event.
            Gliadkovsky performs Piano Concerto #2 by Rachmaninoff, accompanied by OSU under the direction of Conductor Xun Sun.  The concerto premiered in 1901, performed by Rachmaninoff himself. This moving music has inspired the work of many composers and musicians, including Eric Carmen’s ballad “All by Myself.” Carmen first composed the song's interlude, and then took the verse from Rachmaninoff and the chorus from his own "Let's Pretend". Carmen explained that Rachmaninoff was his "favorite music". Frank Sinatra’s “I Think of You” and Full Moon and Empty Arms” and the Gospellers “Sky High” also contain references to Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece.

            The Orchestra also performs Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky and Lara’s Theme from “Dr. Zhivago” by Jarre. 
Picture at an Exhibition is Mussorgsky's most famous piano composition and has become a showpiece for virtuoso pianists, later orchestrated by Ravel. The 1874 suite was inspired by the artwork of Viktor Hartmann and highlights the artist’s work with movements such as “Promenade”, “Gnomes”, “Old Castle”, “Dispute between Children at Play”, “Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks”, and the majestic “Great Gate of Kiev”.  Mussorgsky was a member of a composing circle, which included Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodin and resulted in evocative musical masterpieces such as Scheherazade.
            Jarre’s beloved Laura’s Theme from Dr. Zhivago initially inspired by Jarre’s girlfriend.  Dr. Zhivago’s director David Lean liked the piece well enough to use it in numerous tracks for the film. The piece became an instant success upon the film’s release and gained fame throughout the world.  Paul Francis Webster later took the theme and added lyrics to it to create "Somewhere My Love".
            Doors open at 6:45 pm with lobby music provided by Sabrina Parry from St. George. 

            “Tickets only cover a portion of the cost for any concert and we appreciate the support of the George S. and Dolores DorĂ© Eccles Foundation, Barrie and Diane S. Strachan, and other financial sponsors for making this event possible,” said Sara Penny, OSU manager.

            Tickets may be purchased for $10 adults and $5 for students (ages six and up); groups of six are $30 per concert.  Tickets are available at the Heritage Center Box Office, 105 N. 100 E. or by calling 435-865-2282. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Children over the age of six are welcome at all the concerts with adult supervision.  OSU requests that babies and children less than six years old not attend as evening concerts are recorded.

For more information, please visit www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org or call Sara Penny at (435) 586-2286.
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Preview the Rachmaninoff with Kirill at:

1st mvt - http://youtu.be/e7O9ZdRnnME
2d mvt - http://youtu.be/j5lawtmsPG8      and    http://youtu.be/YDm6NGzi32s
3d mvt- http://youtu.be/kfYzt94y5lQ    and    http://youtu.be/CclPmioL0Ss 

Thursday, January 19, 2012


Award Winning Children’s Concert, Art, Science Day Returns to Cedar City

The award-winning Orchestra of Southern Utah Children’s Jubilee returns to Cedar City Saturday, February 11 with music at 2 p.m. for an afternoon extravaganza exploring music, science and art. The event includes a family-length concert, hands-on science and art activities led by professors and students from SUU, and displays from local businesses and area schools.  We’ll explore music inspired by art with Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky. 

Every February the Orchestra transforms the Heritage Center into a children’s museum, allowing children of all ages to explore science, art and music in new and exciting way.

"Our family loves attending the Children's Jubilee,” commented Cedar City resident and OSU Board Member Marlo Ihler.  “My children look forward to the concert, as well as participating in all the fun activities afterwards. It's a great opportunity to learn, explore, and enjoy one of the finest family events in our community."

This year the Jubilee, which is sponsored by Color Country Pediatrics in Cedar City and the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, brings art, music and science to life with Pictures at an Exhibition.  Children will have an opportunity to investigate connections between music and visual art, explore color and sound, and discover how people feel and show emotion through visual arts and music.

Displays open at 1:00 pm.  Local businesses, including Cedar Music Store and the Southern Utah Museum of Art provide opportunities for children to explore musical instruments, art, and literature.  Area elementary school students provide art inspired by music by Modest Mussorgsky and the work of artist/composer Wassily Kandinsky.

The concert, performed by the Orchestra of Southern Utah, begins at 2:00 pm.  This year the concert features Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, including the regal “Castle” and humorous “Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks.” Pictures was inspired by drawings and watercolors by Mussorgsky’s friend, artist and architect Viktor Hartmann.  This vivid composition was a natural choice for a Jubilee event exploring sound, color, and art. 

Hands-on science and art activities led by Southern Utah University professors and students begin immediately following the concert.  Children have the opportunity to explore the science of color through interactive science projects and discover their inner artist with art projects. Face painters, including Lydia Brescia, add to the festivities.

Lobby music starts at 1:15 with the Three Peaks Children’s Choir under the direction of Suzan Parker and Pete Akins with pianist Harmony Langford.

Tickets for the Orchestra of Southern Utah’s Children’s Jubilee: Pictures at an Exhibition are $5.00 each for children and adults; children under one year of age are admitted free of charge.  One free ticket is given to each family that brings three cans of food to be donated to Care and Share.  For more information, visit the orchestra website at www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org or call Sara Penny at 435-586-2286.

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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Dear Musicians,

Part of our Children's Jubilee is a series of school assemblies and Laurel has written a script which includes our musicians.  If you are able to help please contact her at "Laurel Dodgion" osucedarcity.laurel@gmail.com
or 865-1492 by Monday, Jan. 23.

We need one or two musicians per assembly.  You  will play 8 to 16 bars of music of your choosing in different emotions: happy, sad, angry and romantic.  It would be great to have representatives from different parts of the orchestra such as a string and wind person, or a brass and wind person.  One musician for the preschools will be enough.  They have had strings in the past so a wind or brass person would be best for the preschools.  The assembly script also tells the story of Pictures at an Exhibition and will include some recorded samples from the pieces, but a live music makes the assembly much better. 

Narrators for the assembly are also appreciated and there is a script prepared.  This also a power point computer program which Laurel can show the narrator how to operate.  Again, if interested let Laurel know.

Thanks for your help,
Sara

Jubilee Assemblies for 2012

Date/Time
School
Principal/Contact
Students
Wednesday, February 1


8:30
Gateway, K-8
Merrit Bowden
500
9:30
Three Peaks Pre-School 3-4 year olds
Debbie Jensen
50
1:15
Three Peaks Pre-School 4-5 year olds
Debbie Jensen
50




Thursday, February 2


2:00
E. Valley
Mrs. Robinson
100




Friday, February 3


2:45
Enoch
Mrs. Roundy
600




Monday, February. 6


1:15
South
Mr. Oldroyd
520
2:00
East, K-2
Mr. Burton
300
2:45
East, 3-5
Mr. Burton
300




Tuesday, February 7










Wednesday, February 8


9:30
South Pre-School 3-4 year olds
Debbie Jensen
40
1:15
South Pre-School 4-5 year olds
Debbie Jensen
40




Thursday, February 9










Friday, February 10


9:00
Parowan, K-6
Kevin Porter
400
2:30
North
Mrs. Mel
285


Total  3185   

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Children's Jubilee is going to be so much fun this year. Thanks to everyone who is helping with music, art and science.