April's Concerts: A Musical Tapestry with Life & Friends

Stuart Malina and I had a chance to sit down and chat about two programs with the Harrisburg Symphony - what to expect as well as what's going on behind the music and behind the scenes.

You can hear our latest podcast here.

This month's Masterworks Concert with the Harrisburg Symphony features a new symphony, an old symphony, and a member of the orchestra in the soloist's spotlight. Those concerts will be at the Forum on Saturday, April 17th, at 8pm and Sunday, April 18th, at 3pm.

That program includes Kevin Puts' Symphony No. 2 "Island of Innocence," (hear a sound-clip of it, here) Camille Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1 with principal cellist Fiona Thompson, and Johannes Brahms' 2nd Symphony.
 
Then two days later, it's time for "Stuart and Friends" which will feature four members of the orchestra playing chamber music with conductor Stuart Malina at the piano - and that will be at Whitaker Center, Tuesday evening, April 20th, at 7:30pm.


This performance opens with several works featuring principal trumpeter Phil Snedecor (including two of his original compositions and arrangements) and principal trombonist Brent Phillips. On the second half of the program, Stuart will be joined by concertmaster Odin Rathnam and cellist Jennifer DeVore for Brahms' B Major Piano Trio.

Huh! And with everything else he has to do - conduct the concert, play a chamber music program a couple of days later - Stuart didn't tell me he's also doing the pre-concert talks before the Saturday and Sunday concerts, an hour before each performance!

Wait till you hear about the New Piece he's going to be composing for the last concert of the 2010-2011 Season! But we'll save that podcast for a little later.

- Dr. Dick