NYRO's next concert: Debussy, Martinu, and Diamond

We are now less than two weeks away from the next NY Repertory Orchestra concert, on March 31. Here's the announcement from the music director about the program, which this time is all 20th century music. I wasn't familiar with any of the works before we started rehearsing them a few weeks ago, but they're all interesting pieces worth hearing. I haven't seen any of them individually on a concert program, so it will be a unique experience to hear all of them on one night.



***Rarely-heard 20th Century Masterpieces to be performed by the New York Repertory Orchestra on March 31, 2007***

Dear Friends of the New York Repertory Orchestra,

First, thanks to all of you for making our February 10th concert such a success! It was wonderful to see so many of you and to see and hear your enthusiastic response. We are extremely grateful for your ongoing support for NYRO and we hope to see you soon.

Our 2006-2007 season continues with great music, fantastic soloists, and the exciting music-making of the New York Repertory Orchestra - New York's leading all-volunteer, community-based orchestra! We look forward to seeing you at our next concert. Here are the details:

• When: Saturday, March 31, 2007 – 8:00 p.m.
• Where: Good Shepherd-Faith Church @ 152 West 66th St. (between Broadway & Amsterdam Ave.)
• Admission: FREE
  

Program

• Debussy: Symphonic Fragments from “The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian”
• Martinu: Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra – John Dexter, viola
• Diamond: Symphony No. 2
  

About the program:

• The major work on the program will be American composer David Diamond’s landmark Symphony No. 2. Diamond, a true “modern romantic,” and one of America’s great composers, writes accessible, yet profound, music that is by turns elegiac, rousing, haunting, and, finally, extremely exciting and inspiring! You won’t want to miss this important piece by an important American composer.
  

• Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu wrote his Rhaphsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra towards the end of his life and the piece bears a burnished autumnal tranquility that is very beautiful. Written at the height of his musical creativity, the nostalgic Rhapsody-Concerto is rich in folk-like melodies and lush harmonies.
  

• Opening the program will be Claude Debussy’s haunting Symphonic Fragments from “The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian.” Originally written as incidental music for a mystery play in 1911, these pieces offer transparent textures, mysterious harmonies, and plaintive melodies – Debussy at his best!
  

About our soloist:

• Appearing with NYRO for the first time, solo violist John Dexter has been accorded high praise by the critics for his virtuosity and musical poetry. As a sought-after soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, recording artist, and teacher, Mr. Dexter has traveled all over the world. He is a member of the acclaimed Manhattan String Quartet and has performed as principal violist with the New York City Opera, Philharmonia Virtuosi, Joffrey Ballet, American Symphony Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.
  

So...it should be a wonderful concert and we hope to see you there.

Best regards,
David Leibowitz, Music Director
New York Repertory Orchestra
www.nyro.org

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And don’t forget to mark your calendars for our final concert of the season!

Saturday – May 19, 2007
Borodin: “Prince Igor” Overture
Barber: Violin Concerto – Michi Wiancko, violin
Nielsen: Symphony No. 2 (“The Four Temperaments”)

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