The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia Presents 'Bottesini - Schubert' Featuring Michael Stern and Joseph Conyers

PHILADELPHIA, PA, January 18, 2013 (Press-News.org) Journey through Europe and into Russia with works by Prokofiev, Bottesini, Wolf and Schubert with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia's Bottesini - Schubert program on Sunday, January 27 and Monday, January 28.

A founding resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Chamber Orchestra's program features Kansas City Symphony Music Director, Michael Stern, as conductor and The Philadelphia Orchestra Assistant Principal Bass, Joseph Conyers, as soloist.

The January 27 2:30 p.m. and January 28 7:30 p.m. concerts will be performed 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 Stern and Mr. Conyers.

Sergei Prokofiev - Symphony No. 1, Op. 25, Classical
Due to Prokofiev's previous works composed of extreme harmonic language, he had the reputation of an enfant terrible until after he wrote his first symphony. Also known as his Classical Symphony, Prokofiev imitated the simple harmonic language of Haydn while adding contemporary elements of music to make it his own. It was completed in 1917 and premiered in Petrograd under his baton in April 1918, with the symphony quickly establishing itself as his best-known and best-loved work.

Giovanni Bottesini - Double Bass Concerto No. 2 in B minor
Best known for his contribution to expanding the range and technique of the instrument, Bottesini was nicknamed "the Paganini of the double-bass." Because of their great difficulty, his many double bass works are rarely performed - including his Second Concerto. The work exhibits not only the creative talent of the composer, but also the high level of virtuosity of the soloist.

Hugo Wolf - Italian Serenade
Though mainly known for his vocal works, Wolf wrote a few instrumental compositions during his lifetime, with Italian Serenade being most popular. The piece was meant to be the first movement of an orchestral suite, but like most of his instrumental works, it remained unfinished.

Franz Schubert - Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major, D. 125
Schubert's Symphony No. 2 was one of six symphonies he composed between the ages of 16 and 21, most of which he never heard performed. It is one of his few early symphonies influenced by the atmosphere of musical Vienna, especially Mozart's style. Schubert's own lyricism and power are felt throughout with his use of rhythmic impulses, delicate scoring and melodic poise.

Michael Stern, currently in his seventh season as Music Director of the Kansas City Symphony, has led the orchestra in its remarkable artistic growth during his tenure. He received his music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with acclaimed conductor and scholar, Max Rudolf. Maestro Stern is also the founding Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of IRIS Orchestra in Germantown, Tennessee, the chief conductor of Germany's Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Permanent Guest Conductor of the Orchestre National de Lyon in France. He has led prestigious orchestras across the globe, including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and the London Philharmonic.

Joseph H. Conyers is the Assistant Principal Double Bassist of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Prior to his current post, he received his bachelor's degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, and studied with Hal Robinson and Edgar Meyer. Mr. Conyers has performed extensively as both a soloist and orchestral musician with many orchestras in major venues throughout the United States and Europe. He is also deeply committed to education and community engagement through music. In 1999, he was one of the first guests on NPR's From the Top, and in 2007, was named one of "30 Leaders 30 and Under" by Ebony magazine.

Friday Conversations at the Philadelphia Art Alliance will take place on January 25 at 6:30 PM with guest conductor Michael Stern and double bassist Joseph Conyers. Guests will have the opportunity to chat and mingle with them over complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres. Entry is $5, or free to Chamber Orchestra subscribers and Art Alliance members. Friday Conversations is also broadcast live on www.brandywineradio.com. The Philadelphia Art Alliance is located at 251 South 18th Street, Philadelphia. For information, call 215.545.4302 or visit www.philartalliance.org.

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
Bottesini - Schubert

Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Monday, January 28, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts' Perelman Theater

Michael Stern, conductor
Joseph Conyers, double bass

Program:
Prokofiev - Symphony No. 1, Op. 25, Classical
Bottesini - Double Bass Concerto No. 2 in B minor
Wolf - Italian Serenade
Schubert - Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major, D. 125

Tickets:
$24 - $81
215.893.1709 or www.chamberorchestra.org

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