Conductor Laureate Ignat Solzhenitsyn Returns to Chamber Orchestra for 'Schumann | Haydn'

PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 27, 2014 (Press-News.org) An always anticipated occasion for audience and orchestra alike, Conductor Laureate Ignat Solzhenitsyn returns to the Chamber Orchestra podium for a play/conduct program that will undoubtedly brim with the passion, panache and vivacity his concerts unfailingly deliver. The program features Haydn's famous "Surprise" Symphony and two highly expressive works by Schumann and Britten.

APRIL 6 AND 7 AT THE KIMMEL CENTER
A founding resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Chamber Orchestra will perform on April 6 at 2:30 pm and April 7 at 7:30 pm in the Kimmel Center's intimate Perelman Theater. Tickets for Chamber Orchestra performances are $24 to $81. The Sunday matinee performance will be followed by "Classical Conversations," a brief question-and-answer session with Maestro Solzhenitsyn.

Robert Schumann | Introduction and Allegro Appassionato (Concertstuck), Op. 92
It is thought that if Robert Schumann had not injured his finger as an aspiring young virtuoso, the history of 19th century piano music may have taken a very different path. Because of his injury, piano concertos that Schumann's career seemed to promise never materialized, and most of his piano works that came to light are mainly expressive, solo works. However, one of his works for piano and orchestra is his Introduction and Allegro Appassionato (Concertstuck), Op. 92. It is the second of three one-movement works and is an attractive piece because of its effective and unconventional tonal scheme.

Benjamin Britten | Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10, for String Orchestra
The premiere of Britten's Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge at the 1937 Salzburg Festival confirmed then twenty-three-year-old Britten's status as one of the most promising figures in the international music scene. The piece was dedicated to his teacher, Frank Bridge, who was instrumental in developing Britten's technique, and helped with focusing his artistic voice insisting, "You should find yourself and be true to what you found." This sentiment is evidenced in the Bridge Variations through the variation titles based on specific models in Western musical tradition, and the expressive and intense feel of the music with technical subtlety, which is evidenced throughout his career.

Joseph Haydn | Symphony No. 94 in G major, HOB: 1:94, "Surprise"
Known as the "Father of the Symphony," Haydn made the largest contribution to the early development of the symphonic work form. There are many surprises throughout his "Surprise" Symphony, however the explosion early in the second movement is the reason why the work received its nickname. It is supposed to have been intended to wake the large number of concertgoers who, Haydn had observed, tended to fall asleep during the music.

Conductor and pianist Ignat Solzhenitsyn is recognized as one of today's most gifted artists. His lyrical and poignant interpretations have won him critical acclaim throughout the world. As a pianist, Maestro Solzhenitsyn has performed with prestigious symphony orchestras across the United States and Europe, collaborating with the most distinguished conductors. As a recitalist and avid chamber musician, he has worked with well-known quartets, performed in renowned recital halls, and made appearances at esteemed international festivals. Aside from being the Chamber Orchestra's Conductor Laureate, he is also Principal Guest Conductor of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, and was recently a guest conductor for Baltimore, Dallas, and Toronto orchestras, to name a few. Maestro Solzhenitsyn is a winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, has been featured on many radio and television specials, and is currently on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music.

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
Schumann | Haydn

Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 2:30 PM
Monday, April 7, 2014 at 7:30 PM
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts' Perelman Theater

Ignat Solzhenitsyn, conductor and piano

Program:
Schumann | Introduction and Allegro Appassionato (Concertstuck), Op. 92
Britten | Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10
Haydn | Symphony No. 94 in D major, Hob I:94, "Surprise"

Tickets:
Kimmel Center: $24 - $81 | chamberorchestra.org or 215.893.1709

Contact: Dara N. Boyd, Director of Marketing and Interactive Media
215.545.5451 x31 | dboyd@chamberorchestra.org