This Season
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June
In the News
Bruce Polay, professor of music at Knox College and artistic director/conductor of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, has been awarded a commission to compose a string quartet from the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University. More info...
Pianist and Galesburg native Nancy Lindberg Ohlbach presented the premiere performance in October in San Francisco of "Ebb and Flow," a composition by Bruce Polay, professor of music at Knox College and artistic director/conductor of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony.
ICO Award
Pearl Strickland, executive director of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, has received the 2007 Illinois General Manager of the Year Award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras.More info...
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Guest Artists
February 2008
Rosaria Dina Rizzo
March 2008
David Washburn
March 2008
Olivia Cacchione
April 2008
Marcantonio Barone
May 2008
Semenya McCord
June 2008
Concert on the Lawn at Knox College
Earlier this season:
October 2007
Molly Yeh
November 2007
Enrique Batiz
November 2007
Francisco Marchan
February 2008
KGS Trio - Carolyn Suda, Bruce Polay, David Suda
Knox-Galesburg Symphony
Season 2007-08
Upcoming Concerts:
Key:
+ = Selections programmed through the Knox-Galesburg Symphony's International Call for Scores.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre
Rosaria Dina Rizzo, piano
"A most dedicated musician."
Mozart ~ Divertimento in E-flat Major, KV 252
Bach, JC ~ Piano Concerto in A Major
Sibelius ~ King Christian Suite II
Sibelius ~ Finlandia
The Knox-Galesburg Symphony will feature internationally acclaimed pianist Rosaria Dina Rizzo as soloist at its Saturday, February 23 subscription concert. The concert, sponsored in part by Galesburg Cottage Hospital, will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Orpheum Theatre, in Galesburg, IL.
Under the direction of maestro Polay, the KGS will perform two works by Sibelius: "Finlandia" Opus 26, No. 7 and "King Christian II" Suite, Opus 27. The program also includes Mozart's "Divertimento" No. 12 in E-flat Major, KV 252. J.C. Bach's Piano Concerto in A Major will be performed by Rizzo.
Rizzo is artistic director of the International "Florestano Rossomandi" Piano Competition and founder of the Florestana Rossomandi Ensemble with which she performs. The Ensemble has performed for the Roman Summer 2000 Series and the Three Tango Concerts at the American Academy in Rome. Additionally, she has performed throughout Italy and internationally at acclaimed festivals in Belgium, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Switzerland. Rizzo is recipient of numerous national and international prizes including a Gold Medal, as a Trio member, at the 1999 Grand Concours International in Paris.
Born in Bovino-Foggia, Italy, she is a noted pianist, instructor and author. Along with her musical studies, she completed a degree in humanities graduating with honors with a specialty in "Pedagogy" at the University of Bari. Rizzo obtained two additional degrees with highest honors in piano and in chamber music.
Maestro Vincenzo de Gregiruim, director of Conservatory of Music "S. Pietro a Majella" of Naples, Italy wrote, "her musical endowments and her piano technique are enriched by her knowledge, both historical and cultural."
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's (1756-91) "Divertimento" is a music genre from the 18th century. Its mood is often lighthearted. Mozart composed many different types of divertimenti, sometimes even taking the form of a small symphony ("sinfonia").
The music of Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782), son of the distinguished German composer Johann Sebastian, departs completely from the style of his father. J.C. Bach's music is typically melodic and brilliantly structured in the new "gallant" aesthetic, a style incorporating balanced phrases, emphasis on melody and accompaniment, without much contrapuntal complexity. This work, the Piano Concerto in A Major, suggests the transitional ties that bind its forward-looking contemporary placement and its immediate stylistic past.
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), one of the greatest masters of the 20th century, belonged to a generation of highly individual musical personalities. Fellow music student and writer Adolph Paul, commissioned Sibelius to compose "King Christian II" in 1897 - his first theatre piece which was premiered in 1898. Sibelius' ever-popular symphonic poem "Finlandia" was first completed in 1899. The piece was composed for a nationalistic pageant to mobilize popular opposition to the revocation of Finnish independence by Russia. "Finlandia" was often renamed during this period to avoid Russian censorship.
Single concert tickets start at $8.00 and the KGS discounted 3-concert (February 23, March 29 and April 19) subscription ticket package starting as low as $20.00, is still available. Children and students are half-price. Those who purchase a discount concert ticket package are offered reduced ticket prices for the KGS May 10 "Celebrate Mom at the Pops" concert featuring jazz vocalist Semenya McCord. Tickets are available at the Orpheum Theatre Ticket Office (309-342-2299), 250 East Main St., Galesburg or at the door.
On Saturday, February 23 at 10:00 a.m., Rosaria Dina Rizzo will present "Italian Music" for the Music Mornings Program at the Galesburg Public Library. Music Mornings, co-sponsored by the Knox-Galesburg Symphony and the Galesburg Public Library in cooperation with Galesburg School District 205, is a FREE concert preview for children ages preschool through 5th grade. The next Music Mornings program is slated for March 29 which will be hosted by KGS trumpet soloist David Washburn
Saturday, March 29, 2008
7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre
David Washburn, trumpet
"A world-class performer of extraordinary versatility."
Debussy ~ Sacred and Profane Dances for Harp and Strings
Torelli ~ Sonata No. 1 in G for Trumpet, Strings and Continuo
Albinoni (arr. Andre) ~ Concerto for Trumpet and Strings, Opus 7, No.3
Bantock ~ Celtic Symphony for Strings and Harps
Principal trumpet for the Los Angeles (CA) Chamber and Pasadena Pops Orchestras, David Washburn is also associate principal trumpet of the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra. Having numerous motion picture soundtracks to his credit, Washburn has performed as principal trumpet on All the King's Men, The Legend of Zorro, Troy, The Missing, Radio, Jungle Book II, Holes, A Beautiful Mind, Windtalkers, The Grinch, The Perfect Storm, Titanic and Deep Impact. He has been a featured soloist with many renowned orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras. Washburn received his Master of Music, with distinction, from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and his Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California School of Music.
Olivia Cacchione, harp
"An innately talented young musician."
Olivia Cacchione, a senior at Knox College, began her study of harp at age 10. In 2002, 2003 and 2007, she attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival where she played alternately with the Sewanee Symphony and the Cumberland Orchestra. While there she was recognized for excellence in chamber music performances. In 2003 and 2004 she received highest honors at the Missouri State High School Activities Association's annual contest. Cacchione has been the principal harpist with the Knox-Galesburg Symphony from 2004 to 2008.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre
Marcantonio Barone, piano
"A virtuoso executant, a sophisticated musical stylist, and an intellectual and involving interpreter..." -- Harris Goldsmith -- New York Concert Review
Schubert ~ Overture in E minor (D648)
Finko ~ Piano Concerto Moses +
Mozart ~ Concerto No. 14 in E-flat (K449)
Janacek ~ Sinfonietta
American pianist Marcantonio Barone has performed as soloist with major orchestras on four continents including appearance at the Metropolitan Museum and Weill Recital Hall in New York, the National Gallery in Washington and in various cities in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Malta. A prize winner at both the 1985 Busoni and 1987 Leeds International Piano Competitions, Barone performs annually at the Delaware Chamber Music Festival and with the Craftsbury Chamber Players, the Wister Quartet, and the mixed ensemble "1807 and Friends." Since 1987, he has been a member of the Lenape Chamber Ensemble and is a member of the Orchestra 2001, with whom he has toured in Russia, Great Britain, and Denmark. He serves as head of the piano department and assistant director of the Bryn Mawr Conservatory of Music, where he has taught since 1980.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre
Non-Subscription Performance
"Celebrate Mom at the Pops"
Semenya McCord, vocalist
"A gifted, thoughtful, genuine artist."
Semenya McCord, jazz vocalist, music educator, and composer, has been performing throughout New England since 1975. Since 1982, as artistic director of Hemisphere Associates, a collaboration of New England performing artists, she has directed annual tributes to the life and "dream" of Martin Luther King, Jr., the music of Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington. From 1991 to 2003, McCord taught "The Art of Rock & Roll and Jazz" at the University of Massachusetts. Since 2003, she has been teaching jazz voice and related classes at Knox College and Carl Sandburg College; and performing at various community events, including the annual Stearman Fly-In Variety Show, featured guest with Choral Dynamics, the Umoja Community Gospel Choir, and the Galesburg Community Chorus. Since 2000, McCord has produced her own annual event in tribute to her late father, singer-guitarist Ken Henderson, in an effort to create a scholarship in his name for local music students.
June 7, 2008 -- 5:00 p.m.
-- Free Concert on the Lawn
Knox College, Galesburg (Fleming Fieldhouse in case of rain)
Classical and popular favorites
Midwest Young Artist soloist
Earlier this season:
Saturday, October 13, 2007
7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre
Molly Yeh, marimba
"A genuinely gifted young musician."
Holst ~ Capriccio for Orchestra
Hovhaness ~ Fantasy on Japanese Woodprints
Tchaikovsky ~ Symphony No. 5
17 year-old Molly Yeh, who began her musical studies at age three on violin and piano, has studied percussion for eight years. For the past 5 years, she has been a member of the Midwest Young Artists Symphony (MYA) and Concert Orchestras. As a member of the MYA Rattan Marimba Trio, Yeh received the 2004 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Junior Division Gold Medal -- the first time a percussion ensemble had ever won this prestigious award. In May, 2006, she again garnered the Fischoff Competition Gold Medal with "Beat 3," a virtuosi percussion trio. With the Rattan Trio, she has appeared on ABC-TV's "Someone You Know" with Harry Porterfield, WGN with Rick Kogan, and PRI's "From the Top" with Christopher O'Riley.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre
Enrique Batiz, guest conductor
Francisco Marchan, viola
"Two virtuosi... a world-famous conductor and an exceptionally fine violist."
Barber ~ Adagio for Strings
Bach, JS (arr. Marchan) ~ Concerto for Viola +
Dvorak ~ Symphony No. 9 New World
One of the most famous orchestra conductors in Latin America and a gifted artist, Enrique Batiz has won international popularity and fame. His interpretations produce the deepest and most profound emotion. Since 1971, Batiz has been conductor of the State of Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra except for 7 years when he conducted the Mexico City Philharmonic. Since 1984, Batiz has been a permanent guest conductor of the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. As a guest conductor, he has led more than 500 orchestras around the world. The repertory of Batiz ranges from classical to contemporary works. He has been described as an artist who conducts with vehemence and enthusiasm, manifesting a deep understanding, unusual even among the finest of conductors.
Venezuelan-born Francisco Marchan, a member of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, has served as principal violist with the Roswell Symphony, New Mexico, and Opera Illinois as well as co-principal with Midland Odessa Symphony Orchestra (Texas). His orchestral and chamber performances have taken him throughout the United States, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Italy, France, England, Scotland, Colombia, Mexico Ecuador, West Indies and Venezuela. In violin, Marchan earned a Bachelor's degree at Queens College of the City University of New York and Master's and DMA degrees in viola and violin at Texas Tech University.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
7:30 p.m., Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College
Non-Subscription Performance
Knox Galesburg Symphony Trio Recital
"A trio of exemplary ability and musicianship."
David Suda, violin
Carolyn Suda, cello
Bruce Polay, piano
David Suda served as concertmaster of the KGS since the 1984-85 season. He has served as concertmaster of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and Atlanta Ballet and performed with the Georgia State University String Quartet and the Emory University Piano Trio. He is professor of history at Monmouth College who came there by way of a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Carolyn Suda, KGS principal cellist since the 1984-85 season, has performed as guest principal cello for the American Ballet Theatre and Boston Ballet. She has served as clinician at string workshops and institutes in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Bruce Polay, award-winning conductor and artistic director of the KGS, is also an accomplished performer and composer. He has performed in Carnegie Hall, in Europe and throughout the U.S. A professor of music at Knox College, Polay has received numerous composition honors, including prestigious ASCAP Awards each year since 1994.