'Symphonic Dances' Anchors Portland Symphony's Concert

On Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m., the Portland Symphony Orchestra presents the fourth concert of its Tuesday Classical Series. Guest conductor Arie Lipsky will step up to the podium for a deeply romantic concert program, featuring the charming "Invitation to the Dance" by Weber (arr. Berlioz), Brahms' virtuosic Double Concerto with violinist Mikhail Kopelman and cellist Steven Doane, and Rachmaninoff's timeless and passionate Symphonic Dances.

A Concert Conversation with Maestro Lipsky will take place at 6:15 p.m. in the Rehearsal Hall, offering concertgoers additional insight into the evening's program.

Conductor Arie Lipsky is Music Director for the Ann Arbor (Michigan) and Ashland (Ohio) Symphony Orchestras. A native of Israel, he frequently conducts orchestras in Europe, Israel and North America, and served as Resident Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic for 12 years. Also an accomplished cellist, Lipsky holds degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Music.

Mikhail Kopelman was Concertmaster of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra in the 1970s. He was appointed first violin of the Borodin String Quartet in 1976, and played with the ensemble for two decades. From 1980 to 1993, Kopelman was on the faculty of the Moscow Conservatory teaching both solo violin and string quartet. He has performed in concerts and given master classes across Europe and North America, and is on faculty at the Eastman School of Music.

Cellist Steven Doane is also on faculty at the Eastman School of Music. He has performed all over North America and Europe, and was principal cellist for both the Milwaukee Symphony and Rochester Philharmonic. A recording that he performed on, featuring the complete music of Gabriel Fauré for cello and piano, was awarded the Diapason D'or in France, and has been broadcast extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada, over the BBC in England and in Europe.

This concert is sponsored by MacDonald Page.

Tickets for PSO performances can be purchased through PortTix, 207-842-0800, or at the PortTix box office at 20 Myrtle St., Portland, Maine, between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Tickets for the Tuesday Classical concerts are $16-$57, with discounts available for students, seniors, and groups. -- www.portlandsymphony.com