11.15.2018 ENS Symphony Orchestra

West Chester University Symphony Orchestra Joseph Caminiti, Music Director

Thursday, November 15, 2018 Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center 8:15 PM

Thanks to the WCUSO Executive Committee for their creative and skilled work: Executive Administrator: Darby MacAdams Marketing Specialist: Riley McGowan Marketing Assistant: Lily Eckman Concert and Outreach Coordinator: Kristin Erle Concert and Outreach Coordinator Assistant: James Devor

PROGRAM

A Shropshire Lad Rhapsody ...............................................................................G. Butterworth (1885–1916) Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85 ......................................................................................... E. Elgar (1857–1934) I. Adagio II. Lento III. Adagio IV. Allegro

Ovidiu Marinescu, cello

INTERMISSION

Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10 ............................................................... D. Shostakovich (1906–1975) I. Allegretto II. Allegro III. Lento IV. Allegro molto

Please Silence, But Reference Smartphones Please Turn Off All Other Electronic Devices

PROGRAM NOTES A Shropshire Lad Rhapsody was written in 1912 and is one of very few surviving works by George Butterworth. Much of the melodic content from this piece is drawn from the composer’s previous song cycle under the same name, especially the first song, Lovliest of Trees, based upon text by A. E. Houseman. The rhapsody is greatly influenced by Butterworth’s research specializing in English folk music. Modal harmonies and thematic materials are pulled directly from the folk music tradition and contribute to his depiction of pastoral England as well his exploitation of the sadness in Houseman’s writings. Butterworth lived a tragically short life, being killed in combat by a sniper in World War I, at the young age of 31. Composer Gerald Finzi wrote that Buttherworth’s music “sums up our [England’s] countryside as very little else has ever done.”

The Cello Concerto in E Minor is Sir Edward Elgar’s last momentous work. He composed this work in the aftermath of WWI, as can be felt by the often solemn character of the work. The premiere performance of 1919 was an utter failure as the general public, who had already unfavorably judged Elgar’s works, heard a disjunct and ill-prepared performance. The other conductor on the program, Albert Coates, took more than his allotted rehearsal time, and refused Elgar the necessary time to prepare the piece. Today however, the Cello Concerto is securely fixed in the standard repertoire due in part to its virtuosic solo part and ardent melodious themes.

Symphony No. 1 by Dimitri Shostakovich is the first symphonic work to have both been composed in the Soviet Union and placed in the general orchestral repertory. Shostakovich wrote this piece as a graduation requirement at the Leningrad Conservatory during the years of 1924-1925. He finished it in July of that year when he was only 19 years old. The symphony follows a standard form of four movements. The first, an Allegretto, starts with satirical ‘laughing’ motifs that occur throughout the piece. In the third movement, Shostakovich abruptly changes mood from quirky to serious and melancholy. This movement ends with a drum roll that leads attacca into the final movement, which commences with deep introspection. The vigor and chaotic spirit of the first two movements is then revisited but with a new theme before the symphony closes triumphantly. ~Program notes by James Devor.

For more information on tonight’s concert program, please follow the QR code to our website or use the URL https://www.wcuso.org/concert-details/

FACULTY GUEST SOLOIST

Ovidiu Marinescu, one of the outstanding musicians of his native Romania, is active as a cellist, conductor, composer, and educator. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Weill Hall, Merkin Hall (New York), the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Holywell Room in Oxford, Oriental Art Center in Shanghai, and many other prestigious places. A frequent soloist with many orchestras he has appeared with the New York Chamber Symphony, the National Radio Orchestra of Romania, Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Helena and Newark Symphonies, Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Philharmonic, Limeira Symphony in Brazil, Orquesta de Extremadura in Spain, and virtually all professional orchestras in Romania. Recent performances include appearances with the Limeira Symphony in Brazil, Cleveland Philharmonic, Great Falls, Portsmouth and Immaculata Symphonies, Craiova and Botosani Philharmonics in Romania, Vanderbilt Orchestra, Independence Sinfonia, a 2-week tour of China and a recital at Carnegie Hall. He was a member of the jury and guest professor for the 1st edition of the “Greenhouse Foundation Awards and Festival” in Seoul, Korea.

Marinescu has 10 album releases for Parma Recordings and Cambria as a cellist, conductor, or chamber musician, and several recordings released independently. His first recording "Fiesta Latina" was followed by a recording of the complete Miaskovsky cello works with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Kenneth Boulton released by Cambria. His recording of the Bach Cello Suites, released by Navona Records, has received international critical acclaim, last year alone receiving over 50,000 hits on Spotify. The recording of the Arthur Gottschalk Sonata for Cello and Piano has received the Gold Medal at the Global Music Awards for 2014 and the recording of “The Sea Knows” by Michael Kurek made its debut as no. 1 on the Classical Billboard list in July 2017.

Marinescu has commissioned and performed many new works for cello solo. Penn Presents featured Marinescu in a multi-media program at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia featuring works for solo cello, film and electronics by Andrea Clearfield, Richard Belcastro, David Ludwig, Paul Geissinger, teamed with four local filmmakers. In 2000, Marinescu premiered with the Newark Symphony "Anecdote" for cello and orchestra by Hilary Tann, followed by the first performance of "Ostinato" by Liviu Marinescu with "Orchestra 2001" in Philadelphia. In January of 2015 he performed the premiere of a new work for cello and orchestra by Kile Smith, commissioned for him by Helena Symphony.

Equally successful as a conductor, he served as the Music Director of the WCU Symphony Orchestra, Immaculata Symphony and Manalapan Orchestra, as well as conductor for the Wilmington Orchestra and Goppisberg Festival Orchestra in Switzerland. His guest conducting includes the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra in Moscow, the Chamber Orchestra of the Romanian Radio, “New Russia” State Orchestra, the Bacau, Craiova, Ploiesti, Botosani, Targu Mures, and Brasov Philharmonics in Romania, Filarmonica de Gaia in Portugal, Orquesta de Extremadura in Spain, the Helena, Newark, and Southeastern PA Symphony Orchestras, as well as Vidin Sinfonietta in Bulgaria.

WCUSO MUSICIANS VIOLIN I Hanna Choi, Concertmaster Brittany Welty Erika Bar-David River Cobain Michael Ben Brubaker Blair Cunningham Yujin Jo Kyla Eryka de Guia VIOLIN II Freddy Contreras-Romero, Principal Kristin Erle, Assistant Principal Abby Stratton Brian Robbins Riley McGowan Patrick O’Neill Blair Kidd Katrina Cwietniewicz VIOLA Abigail Keebler, Principal Kristen Taylor Michael Trycieckyj Ruth Frazier Pam Jacobson Ardath Belzer CELLO Elisa Aquino Gomez, Principal Lia Crisuolo Hyewon Jo Ally Paino Lily Eckman Lauren Blackwell Tess Clippinger Taylor Cope Emily Zook Connor McPartland Monica Zheng Brett Bailey William Shaw BASS James Devor, Principal Darby MacAdams Sal Azzara Amber Kowal Caleb Sharp Grace Wible Isaac Meyer Tim Ragsdale Saven Wright Charles Warfield

HARP Sarah Higgins FLUTE Elena Bondereva, Principal Allie Finney Kim Sulahian OBOE John DeBiase, Co-Principal Marlene Miller Co-Principal Hannah Shields CLARINET Nadine Silverman, Principal Zach Stola Mario Ramirez, Bass clarinet BASSOON Alex Brandreth, Principal Meghan Freer HORN Matthew Hontz, Principal Libby Ando Isaac Duquette Katie Fox Nash Helsel TRUMPET Nicholas Bower, Principal Adrianna Korey Maeve Bartra Allison Rack TROMBONE Kyle Jackier, Principal Michael Kaplan Woody Rehaag, Bass trombone TUBA Alex Sandi TIMPANI Cameron Davis, Principal PERCUSSION Nathan Gittleman John Peacock Luke Thurston Sean McWilliams Brett Gillott PIANO Brett Bailey

UPCOMING WELLS SCHOOL OF MUSIC EVENTS For full event details visit www.wcupa.edu/music or call (610) 436-2739 Friday, November 16, 2018, 7:30 PM Criterions Jazz Ensemble Marc Jacoby, director Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center Saturday, November 17, 2018, 2:00 PM Senior Recital: Elefeteria Zerefos and Katelyn Gallagher, saxophones Jonathan Ragonese, director Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building Saturday, November 17, 2018, 6:00 PM Senior Recital: Devaney Ross, soprano In Young Lee, director Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building Tuesday, November 27, 2018, 8:15 PM Statesmen & Vocal Jazz Daniel Cherry & Ryan Kelly, directors Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 8:15 PM Flute Ensemble Kimberly Reighley, director Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center *Tickets required for this event.

Steinway & Sons Piano Technical, Tuning and Concert Preparations by Gerald P. Cousins, RPT A majority of performances are available to watch via live stream at Facebook.com/ArtsAtWCUPA and LiveStream.com/wcupa.

Mr. Robert Rust, Audio & Visual Technician Events at the Wells School of Music are often supported by individual sponsors and organizations.

Contributions to the Wells School of Music may be made out to: West Chester University Foundation 202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA 19382

For further information, please call (610) 436-2868 or contact Dr. Christopher Hanning, Dean.

If you do not intend to save your program, please recycle it in the baskets at the exit doors.

The Wells School of Music | West Chester University of Pennsylvania Dr. Christopher Hanning, Dean