Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra & Moxart: “Concert of Concertos”

The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra (GNSO) is one of the leading cultural institutions of the Hudson River Valley. It was founded in 1995 by Dr Woomyung Choe and its first president, George Handler, was followed as president after 10 years by the late Fred McCurdy. In addition to its regular concerts, the Orchestra performs special engagements, such as with Moxart and summer concerts at Boscobel House and Gardens

This special concert represents the fourth year of a unique partnership between the GNSO and Moxart, Inc., a Philadelphia-area non-profit organization whose mission is to provide musicians with opportunities that would otherwise not be available. Moxart’s Concerto Program enables accomplished, nonprofessional musicians to play a concerto with a fine orchestra.

This month, four distinguished pianists will perform concertos by composing giants Mozart, Prokofiev, R. Strauss and Rachmaninoff with the GNSO under the direction of Maestro Russell Ger, for the fifth GNSO/Moxart collaboration.

Maestro Ger says, “This concert will cover the whole spectrum of piano repertoire. Mozart’s gorgeous

Concerto for Two Pianos was written for the composer and his sister to perform together around his 23rd birthday. Almost exactly 100 years later, Richard Strauss wrote his Burlesque for piano and orchestra when he was just 21. Amazingly, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1 was also completed when he was also 21years-old, so the first half of this concert is an astonishing collection of youthful ingenuity and bravura. The second half of the program will feature Rachmaninoff’s justifiably famous Piano Concerto No. 2, a true Romantic tour de force. It always leaves the audience breathless at the pianistic virtuosity and the lushly soaring melodies.”

It is presumed that Mozart wrote his Concerto for Two Pianos to play with his sister Maria Anna (“Nannerl”). Years later he performed it in a private concert with pupil Josepha Barbara

Auernhammer. The work was written for Hans von Bülow, who had appointed Strauss assistant conductor of the Meiningen Court Orchestra. However, von Bülow considered it a “complicated piece of nonsense” and refused to learn it. He said the piano part was “Lisztian” and “unplayable”, particularly for a pianist with a small handspan. (Strauss says that von Bülow could barely reach an octave).

The 22-year-old Prokofiev won the Anton Rubinstein Prize for pianistic accomplishments for a performance of his Concerto No. 1 before the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. He had proposed his own concerto for the programme, reasoning that, though he may not be able to win with a classical concerto, with his own concerto the jury would be “unable to judge whether he was playing well or not.” Competition rules required that the piece be published, so Prokofiev found a publisher willing to produce 20 copies in time for the event.

The Piano Concerto No. 2 established Rachmaninoff’s fame as a concerto composer and is one of his most enduringly popular pieces. Throughout his life, Rachmaninoff soloed his masterpiece a total of 145 times!

The pianists include Alan Murray, who is making his third appearance with the GNSO, having previously performed works by Prokofiev and Beethoven, and Frank Siegel, who performed Mozart’s Concerto # 20 K.466 with the GNSO. Pianists Stanley Sisskin and Janet Wu have similarly distinguished careers. This is also the first event at which the GNSO Customer Experience Committee will offer Prosecco and charcuterie prior to the concert and at intermission.

This “Concert of Concertos” will be presented February 18 at 4:00pm at Mount Saint Mary College’s Aquinas Hall, 330 Powell Avenue, Newburgh. This is a special concert not included in the annual subscription.

For tickets, call 845-913-7157 or visit www.newburghsymphony.org.

Students are admitted free to Open Seating.

The Beatles: “Live” at the Paramount

Since the early eighties, 1964 - The Tribute has been thrilling audiences around the globe by taking them on journey through a quintessential moment in music history that will live forever. Over twenty years of researching and performing have made 1964 - The Tribute masters of their craft, hailed by critics and fans alike as THE most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute.

Mark Benson was introduced to music playing drums and piano at age eight. At age seventeen he started playing guitar and became fascinated by the different sounds that different guitars made.

Mac Ruffing was born and raised near Cleveland, and as a young child started listening to his older sisters’ Beatles records. The first album he ever bought was “The Beatles 1962-66,” which is exactly what 1964 - The Tribute does, and is still his favorite music.

Tom Work is a co-founder of 1964 - The Tribute. In 2006 Tom returned to 1964 - The Tribute, ending a 12-year sabbatical. “During my time away from 1964 I worked with a few of the other Beatles shows,” he notes. “I learned a great deal and forged close friendships with some great people, but there’s nowhere I’d rather be, no group of performers I’d rather work with than “1964”. It’s great to be back!”

Tom Work (George), and Bobby Potter (Ringo).

Bobby Potter was born in Indiana. When The Beatles arrived on the music scene, he made it a personal goal to be like Ringo. His personality shines onstage as he authentically reproduces every beat and moves his head to the music portraying Ringo with precision and style.

1964 - The Tribute will recreate an early ‘60s live Beatles concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter with an accuracy that is unmatched, on February 24 at 8:00pm at the Paramount Theatre, 17 South Street, Middletown.

Tickets: www. MiddletownParamount. com and 845-346-4195.

Goshen Art League: Greens of Spring

Goshen Art League (GAL) invites all to see four separate exhibits, Color Wheel of Seasons at their gallery! The League will start off their new year-long exhibit, Color Wheel of Seasons, with Greens of Spring. The artists’ work is inspired by the season of Spring and the color green will be on display.

“GAL has diversity in the style and medium of work created by its members and strives to come up with different themes that leave the interpretation open to the artists; this year-long exhibit in four parts continues that intent,” explained Michele Meek, GAL member and Vice President.

Pat MacDonald, GAL Treasurer and member said, “I’m looking forward to this new idea. We are hoping to bring more people into our community art exhibits.”

The public is invited to view this show, weekdays or by appointment at the Goshen Music Hall, 223 Main Street, from February 9 - April 26. While just across the street at Griffith Olivero Realtors (226 Main Street), another new GAL art exhibit is on display. This one includes the work of League members Ciro Attardo, Nancy Reed Jones and Ginirose Sivilli. Their group show will be on display through the end of March. The public is invited to view their work daily or by appointment.

Interested parties may also make individual by appointment requests to view the exhibit at the Music Hall during off-hours by emailing goshenartleague@ gmail.com