Sunday, November 13, 2022

"Traditions" Concert Photos

 Thanks to everyone involved with the Traditions Fall Concert. Thanks to musicians, staff, and patrons for the photos.












Link: Program on website

Before the concert











After the Concert






























SUU World Music Class

Monday, November 7, 2022

"Traditions" Concert on Nov. 10, 2022

Orchestra of Southern Utah to Perform Treasures From Around the World

Written by Mary Furse


The variety of classical styles is surprisingly vast and rich, especially when infused with traditional music from different parts of the world. The Orchestra of Southern Utah’s upcoming program paints wide-sweeping musical landscapes. Conductor Carylee Zwang directs the orchestra.

Zhou Long’s “King Chu Doffs His Armour” Concerto for Pipa, featuring soloist Celia Yu Liu, depicts a masterful warrior of ancient China, first in mastery of battle, and then in the despair of defeat. The intensity of this character is voiced by the pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument. The soloist has recorded for Disney "Mulan" and Warner Brothers "Kung Fu".

Due to sudden illness the bassoon concerto has been postponed.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov based Capriccio Espagnol on folk tunes of Spain. The suite opens with a splash of joyful revelry, and even when things slow down, there’s a sense of life, wellbeing, and warmth evocative of Mediterranean climes. By the end, the fire and passion that has been simmering in the undertones burst out in the brightest colors of the orchestra.

Swedish Rhapsody by Hugo Afven is a collection of folk melodies inspired by Swedish Midsummer traditions. Songs of longing and loneliness pervade, relieved often by lively dance tunes reminiscent of a gathering after a hard day’s work. The rhapsody culminates in a roiling climax like a dancing fury or summer storm, before falling back into repose.

Travel the world with OSU on Thursday, November 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Theater. Concert ticket prices are as follows: $12 for adults, $6 for students over six years. Children over six years are welcome. No babes-in-arms, please, as concerts are recorded. Tickets are now available online at www.myosu.org.

This concert is also part of the Cedar City Birthday Celebrations and cake will be served afterwards in the lobby.

Sponsors include the Carhles Maxfield Parrish and Gloria F. Parrish Foundation, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Artisans Gallery, Sino US Performing Arts Organization, RAP Tax, and Cedar City Corporation.
Poster design by Rollan Fell


More on Guest Soloist:

Celia Yu Liu

Ms. Celia Yu Liu is a well-known Pipa and Guzheng artist. She was born into a family of
musicians in Changsha, China. When her mother introduced her to the Pipa at the age of eight,
she immediately developed a special interest in its music. She excelled as a top contestant and
entered the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Upon graduation in 1988, she
was recruited as a leading Pipa performer in the National Chinese Music Orchestra. In 1989,
Ms. Liu won the prize for outstanding Performance in Pipa at the Art Cup International
Competition of Chinese Musical Instruments. Since then, She was frequently invited to play in
Beijing Concert Hall, national TV concerts and represented China to show her music in many
occasions, including international music festivals in German, Singapore and United States.
Ms. Liu arrived in the United States in 1991, not only to continue her musical career but to
explore broader stages and opportunities.
     She continued to perform her music with entities such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at Disney Concert Hall for Lou Harrison’s Contemporary opera “Young Caesar” in June 2017. She performed with Hollywood Bowl Symphonic Orchestra. She recorded soundtracks for over hundreds of TV series with Warner Brothers such as “Kung Fu” and the movie “ Pavilion of Woman” with the Universal. Her music appeared at national NBC Channel “Good Morning Sunday” show. She also played American Anthem at opening ceremony of a NBA basketball game at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles. In
2003 she was invited by composer Missa Johnouchi to record a CD “Kuge”, a Erhu and Pipa
concerto worked with Paris National Opera Theater Orchestra in Paris, France. Most recently
she worked with composer and music producer Jeremy Zuckerman to record Nickelodeon TV
series “Kung Fu Panda.” Legends of Awesomeness, and a TV show with Disney company “ Our
Flowing Dream”, etc.
     Ms. Liu has been invited by Caltech, Cal State Pomona college, and Cal State University of Los
Angeles. Claremont College, etc to introduce and showcase Chinese music and Chinese musical
instruments. Ms. Liu’s portrayal of her passion and dedication to music has earned her
worldwide recognition and acclamation.
    Her performance with OSU is sponsored by the Sino US Performing Arts Organization.