Internationally acclaimed pianist William Wolfram joins conductor and Portland Symphony Orchestra Artistic Advisor Joseph Silverstein for the opening concert of the Portland Symphony's 83nd season on Tuesday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Merrill Auditorium.
Seating for this concert is limited, with tickets in some price sections still available. Preceding the performance at 6:15 p.m., a Concert Conversation with Maestro Silverstein will provide background and insight into the evening's program. Audience members are also invited to a post-concert reception in the Rehearsal Hall honoring donors to the Toshiyuki Shimada Guest Artist Fund, whose support has made possible Wolfram's appearance with the Portland Symphony Orchestra.
The Portland Symphony Orchestra 2007-2008 season is filled with international rising stars, and opening night will be an exceptional start. Wolfram performs in Mozart's charming Rondo in D Major for Piano and Orchestra, and Totentanz by Franz Lizst, a demonic and brilliant work. The evening's program also includes Beethoven's powerful Egmont Overture and concludes with the exquisite and thrilling Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz.
Violinist and conductor Joseph Silverstein, widely regarded as one of Boston's most influential musical citizens while serving as concertmaster and assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the orchestras at New England Conservatory. Silverstein is currently Principal Guest Conductor of Seattle's Northwest Chamber Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of the Utah Symphony. Much sought after as a consultant to orchestras, Silverstein has served as artistic advisor to the Hartford, Kansas City, Louisville, Baltimore, Toledo, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Winnipeg and Oakland symphonies.
Wolfram was a silver medalist at both the William Kapell and Naumberg competitions and a bronze medalist at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. The New York Times wrote, "Wolfram's technique is flabbergasting; fiendishly difficult octave passages were as child's play, and his strength is tempered by an easy poetry." Known as a versatile recitalist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician, he has garnered the respect of musicians and the acclaim of critics across the country.
Maestro Silverstein will return to conduct the Portland Symphony Orchestra for the Sunday Classical on November 4 at 2:30 p.m. Attendees of the Sunday Classical will also have an opportunity to see him perform during Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola along with Portland Symphony Orchestra principal violist Laurie Kennedy.
The next Portland Symphony Orchestra concert will be Portland Symphony Orchestra Pops with "A Little Fright Music" on Saturday October 27 and Sunday, October 28, conducted by Robert Lehmann. -- www.portlandsymphony.com
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