Austin Symphony Closes With A Bang

Austin audiences have one final chance to experience the excellence of the Austin Symphony's 96th concert season on February 2 & 3 when Maestro Peter Bay and the ASO close their Classical Concert season with a percussive evening of works. Percussionist Evelyn Glennie joins the ASO for a night featuring works by Milhaud, Schwantner, Vivaldi and Respighi. Vinson & Elkins and Compass Bank proudly sponsor this concert.

PROGRAM

Milhaud - La Création du monde ( The Creation of the World)
Schwantner - Percussion Concerto
Vivaldi - Piccolo Concerto in C (arr. by Evelyn Glennie for vibraphone)
Respghi - Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome)

Maestro Bay begins the evening with 20th century composer Darius Milhaud's La Création du monde. After having a rough 1923 premiere in Paris, it was soon regarded as a seminal musical and cultural synthesis, and has long been the composer's most played work. Maestro Bay then welcomes Evelyn Glennie to center stage for a performance of the Percussion Concerto of Joseph Schwantner.

Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Grammy® winner Evelyn Glennie was the first full-time solo professional percussionist in 20th century western society. Although profoundly deaf since age 12, her disability does not inhibit her ability to perform at the international level. She tours extensively in the northern hemisphere, spending up to four months each year in the United States, and performs with an extraordinarily wide variety of orchestras and contemporary musicians, giving over 100 concerts a year as well as master classes and "Music in Schools" performances. In a live performance, she can use up to 60 instruments, including the Great Highland Bagpipes.

After a brief intermission, Ms. Glennie returns to stage to perform her own transcription of Antonio Vivaldi's Piccolo Concerto in C, arranged for vibraphone. Maestro Bay concludes the evening with Respighi's Pines of Rome.

Concertgoers can enjoy "Concert Conversations" with Bob Buckalew at 7:10 p.m. in the concert hall. These discussions provide an in-depth look at the composers and works being performed, including commentary on the social climate in which they were composed.

Tickets for Evelyn Glennie with the Austin Symphony range from $19 to $42. Student rush tickets are also available 20 minutes prior to performance for $5 cash and current student ID. -- www.austinsymphony.org