NYRO concert this saturday: Berlioz, Pizzetti and Liadov

I almost forgot to post the concert notice. I realize it's only 57 hours away, but I'm getting the word out anyway. I'm really excited about playing Berlioz's Harold in Italy. It was one of the first CDs I bought, after I'd been hearing parts of it on the radio for years. John Dexter played Martinu's Rhapsody-Concerto with NYRO two years ago, and it's great to have him back for this concert.

Dear Friends of NYRO,

Spring is here -- and to welcome the new season, our April 4th concert will have you basking in the warmth of the Mediterranean sun. We'll travel to Italy and Greece (with a side trip up to Russia for a bit of meteorological contrast) with music by Anatoly Liadov, Ildebrando Pizzetti, and Hector Berlioz. Add our fantastic soloist, violist John Dexter, and a very special night is in store for everyone!

I look forward to seeing you!

Best regards,
David Leibowitz, Music Director

April 4, 2009 - Berlioz in Italy

What better way to celebrate the beginning of spring than with a musical journey to sunny Italy? Violist John Dexter returns to the NYRO stage as soloist in Hector Berlioz' epic symphony-concerto "Harold in Italy!" Also on hand - charming musical rarities by Anatoly Liadov and Ildebrando Pizzetti. Date: Saturday, April 4, 2009 Time: 8:00pm Place: Good Shepherd-Faith Church (152 West 66th Street) Admission: FREE Here's the full program: Liadov: Eight Russian Folk Songs Pizzetti: Three Symphonic Preludes on Oedipus Rex Berlioz: "Harold in Italy" - John Dexter, viola About the program: Anatoly Liadov's Eight Russian Folk Songs are charming musical miniatures that evoke the deep mystery and beauty of the Russian musical spirit. In turns festive, rustic, and serene, these short character sketches are a pure delight! Performed only once before in the United States since its creation, Ildebrando Pizzetti created three haunting tone poems based on the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex. These Three Symphonic Preludes beautifully capture the brooding sense of tragedy inherent in the drama. You won't want to miss hearing this wonderful work. Epic in scope, sunny in disposition, and dramatic in narrative Harold in Italy by French composer Hector Berlioz is one of the gems of the orchestral repertoire. Based on Lord Byron's "Childe Harold," the music traces our hero as he travels through the Abruzzi mountains, passing pilgrims, meeting shepherds, and, finally, being pursued by a band of cutthroat brigands! It's an exciting musical adventure! About our soloist: Back on the NYRO stage by popular demand, virtuoso violist John Dexter is a mainstay of New York's musical scene. An accomplished soloist, Mr. Dexter premiered and recorded, to great critical acclaim, Anthony Newman's virtuosic Viola Concerto. Mr. Dexter is a member of the American Symphony Orchestra and the American Composers Orchestra, and he has also performed with the New York City Opera, Philharmonia Virtuosi, Joffrey Ballet, and Hong Kong Philharmonic. As a chamber musician, Mr. Dexter is the violist in the award-winning Manhattan String Quartet and, since joining the MSQ in 1980, has made over twenty critically-acclaimed recordings of the string quartet repertoire.