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The 2014-15 Season is the 50th that Ridgefield’s own professional orchestra has been presenting world-class performances to area audiences. Opening the orchestra’s Golden Anniversary on Saturday, October 4th, 8:00 pm, at the Ridgefield High School Auditorium, Music Director Jerry Steichen has assembled a perfect season opening concert, with a “pair of pairs.” Two Nordic masterpieces, evoking the bracing air of Scandinavia, and compositions representing the past and future of the RSO.
The RSO’s past and future? The concert, and 50th Anniversary Season, opens looking to the future with a world premiere by New York based composer Edmund Cionek, entitled Funmusic. Commissioned by the RSO for its anniversary, the composer describes the work as “a short, exciting, celebratory piece with lots of brass flourishes.” And the RSO’s storied past is celebrated in a performance of Mozart’s vivacious Overture to the opera Le Nozze di Figaro, which fittingly enough was on the program of the fledgling Ridgefield Symphonette’s first ever concert on April 4th, 1965.
The first of the two Nordic masterpieces is by Jean Sibelius, his Symphony #1. Premiered in 1899 to audience acclaim, the work is quintessential “Sibelius,” by turns romantic, passionate and dramatic, calling to mind the composer’s native Finland. And the concert ends with Norwegian Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto, probably his best-known work and one of the most popular piano concertos ever written. Soloist in the Grieg is the internationally acclaimed pianist Spencer Myer.
“Where are the songs of spring? Ay, where are they? Think not of them, thou hast thy music too…” The RSO’s season opener celebrates the orchestra’s past and future… a concert not to be missed! Tickets from $20-$60; student and senior discounts available. And new subscriber can save 25% off our regular subscription rates! For tickets and information call 203-438-3889 or online at www.ridgefieldsymphony.org.
