New Haven, CT (September 9, 2013): The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) open its 120th season with a spectacular concert experience! Music Director William Boughton conducts Tchaikovsky Triumphant on Thursday, October 3 at 7:30pm at Woolsey Hall in New Haven. The program includes Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto performed by 19 year-old rock-star violinist Chad Hoopes, and Theofanidis’s Rex Tremendae Majestatis performed by the NHSO and Thomas Murray on Woolsey Hall’s awe-inspiring organ.
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.5 opens the Symphony’s 120th season in grand style. The works features one of the greatest horn solos in the orchestral repertoire and the music takes the listener from tragedy to triumph. This poetic sense of triumph caused the Fifth Symphony to become a great favorite of audiences during World War II. One of the most notable performances was by the Leningrad Radio Symphony Orchestra during the Siege of Leningrad. The orchestra continued performing in hopes of inspiring the besieged city’s residents. On the night of October 20, 1941 they played Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 at the city’s Philharmonic Hall and it was broadcast live to London. As the second movement began, bombs started to fall nearby, but the orchestra continued playing until the final note. The Symphony’s ongoing popularity is reflected in its appearance in several Hollywood movies and its adaptation by artists as varied as Glenn Miller and John Denver. The NHSO will repeat Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in a collaborative concert with the Fairfield County Chorale on Saturday, October 5 at 7:30pm at the Norwalk Concert Hall.
Audiences will remember that soloist Chad Hoopes has graced the Woolsey Hall stage with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra before. In February 2012 he performed Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto as part of the Symphony’s Russian Nights program to a rousing ovation. Maestro Boughton raved that seeing Chad play is “one of those rare occasions for New Haven audiences to witness a real wunderkind at the beginning of his career, because I have no doubt he’s going to become one of the major forces in the violin world.” Audiences will witness Chad’s growth as he takes on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto – a virtuosic and iconic piece that will blow the crowd away – on the Opening Night of the Symphony’s 120th season!
CHAD HOOPES has appeared with numerous ensembles throughout the world since he won the first prize at the Young Artists Division of the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition when he was just 13 years old. He is a violinist possessing vibrant virtuosity “with an inspiring blend of emotional expression and technical ease” (Press Democrat), and his mastery is described as “way beyond his years” (Press Democrat). Chad is gearing up to record his debut album, which will feature the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and the John Adams Violin Concert, a piece that requires immense stamina and virtuosity from the violinist.
Tickets for the performances at Woolsey Hall ($15-69) can be purchased at 203.865.0831 x10 or www.NewHavenSymphony.org. To purchase tickets for the Norwalk concert, visit www.Fairfield CountyChorale.org.
PRE-CONCERT ACTIVITIES
Symphony Supper: Indulge in a gourmet, three-course meal at the elegant Union League Café, 1023 Chapel Street, New Haven, with other music lovers at 5:45pm before the Woolsey Hall performance. $50pp, seating is limited; reserve early to avoid disappointment. NewHavenSymphony.org or 203.865.0831 x15 for details.
Prelude: Join the NHSO for Prelude, an intriguing pre-concert lecture from 6:30-7:00pm at Sudler Hall, 100 Wall Street, New Haven. Composer Christopher Theofanidis will introduce audiences to his compositional stylings and share insight on his organ piece that will be played that evening. This event is FREE and open to the public.
Student Showcase: We invite you to join prior to the evening’s concert, as we showcase the talents of the Neighborhood Music School Premier Woodwind Quintet directed by NHSO Bassoonist Sue Zollner-Cross. 6:45pm in the Woolsey Hall Rotunda. This is a great opportunity to see the remarkable talents of high school music students from Greater New Haven.
NHSO Opportunities for Kids: Program Notes for Kids and Concert Reading Lists for Kids provide a fun and educational way to prepare for a NHSO concert experience. Check these out on the NHSO website prior to the performance or stop by the audience amenities table to pick up your copy of NHSO Program Notes for Kids when you arrive at Woolsey Hall.
Program Notes with audio samples are available online at www.NewHavenSymphony.org.
