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2003—2004 Schedule of Events

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Thursday, 2 October 2003, 8:15 PM

Syracuse Symphony Orchestra

Daniel Hege, Conductor
Peter Serkin, Piano

• Barber: School for Scandal Overture
• Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

Recognized as an artist of passion and integrity, American pianist Peter Serkin is one of the most thoughtful and individualistic musicians appearing before the public today. Throughout his career he has successfully conveyed the essence of four centuries of musical repertoire, and his performances with symphony orchestras, recital appearances, chamber music collaborations, and recordings are respected worldwide. "He is one of the supreme musicians of our time" (New York Magazine).

Peter Serkin's rich musical heritage extends back several generations: his grandfather was violinist and composer Adolf Busch, and his father pianist Rudolf Serkin. In 1958, at age eleven, he entered the Curtis Institute of Music where he was a student of Lee Luvisi, Mieczyslaw Horszowski, and Rudolf Serkin. He later continued his studies with Ernst Oster, Marcel Moyse, and Karl Ulrich Schnabel.
In 1959, Peter Serkin made his Marlboro Music Festival and New York City debuts with conductor Alexander Schneider and was subsequently engaged for concerto performances with Eugene Ormandy and George Szell. Serkin has since performed with the world's major symphony orchestras and played chamber music with Alexander Schneider, Pamela Frank, Yo-Yo Ma, the Budapest String Quartet, Guarneri String Quartet, Orion String Quartet and TASHI, of which he was a founding member. He was honored as the first pianist to receive the Premio Internazionale Musicale Chigiana in recognition of his outstanding artistic achievement.

During the 2002-2003 season, Peter Serkin plays recitals in the U.S. and Europe including performances in Prague, London, Vienna, Basel, Freiburg, Kiel and New York's Carnegie Hall. Orchestral appearances include the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Arts Centre Orchestra of Ottawa, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Kansas City Symphony. Over the next two years, Mr. Serkin will perform the complete Bach Piano Concertos in two programs with Jaime Laredo and the Brandenburg Ensemble. Performances this season include Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Newark, Princeton and West Palm Beach. He also performs music by Stefan Wolpe with violinist Daniel Phillips, and features Wolpe's Passacaglia in his solo recitals, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the composer's birth. He plays the Brahms Piano Quintet with the Orion String Quartet at Caramoor and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. In 2001-2002, Mr. Serkin focused on the music of Arnold Schoenberg through performances in both Berlin and New York of his piano concerto, complete solo piano works and complete chamber works with piano.

Now in his fifth season as Music Director of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Hege is widely recognized as one of America's finest young conductors. He has earned critical acclaim for his fresh interpretations of standard repertoire and is recognized for his commitment to creative programming. His previous positions include Music Director of the Haddonfield Symphony (New Jersey), Associate Conductor of the Kansas City Symphony, Music Director of the Encore Chamber Orchestra in Chicago and Music Director of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, where he was twice honored by the American Symphony Orchestra League for innovative programming. In June 2001, he finished a five-year tenure with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, where he held the titles of Assistant, Associate and Resident Conductor and led the orchestra in subscription, family and run-out concerts.

Recent guest conducting engagements include appearances with the Houston, Seattle, Oregon, Colorado and Charlotte symphonies, the Rochester Philharmonic, and Louisiana Philharmonic, and the Aspen Music Festival. He has also made two recordings: a disc with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Morgan State University Choir featuring works by Adolphus Hailstork, and his first CD with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra featuring works by Verdi, Barber, Debussy, Respighi and James Johnson.

Syracuse Symphony Home Page

Program Notes for the Evening's Concert. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (tm) which you can obtain free here).

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Saturday, 8 November 2003, 8:15 PM

Ballet Jörgen "Coppélia"

Ballet Jörgen was founded in 1987 primarily in an effort to expand and improve opportunities for ballet choreographers. We have a unique repertoire of ballets and a performance that spans the continent. The company continues to be recognized for their entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, originality, and accessibility. Their repertoire intentionally appeals to a broad range of patrons, including children, youth, students, adults and seniors. Coppélia is no exception: The ballet tells the story of a mechanical doll that comes to life. It is a light-hearted ballet appropriate for the whole family! Coppélia has long remained one of the jewels of the classical ballet repertoire, as it represents one of the few true comedies of ballet. This full-length ballet in three acts was originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Leon for the Paris Opera, to a libretto by Charles Nuitter and Saint-Leon with music by Leo Delibes. It had its premiere May 25, 1870.

Ballet Jörgen is the only Canadian ballet company with a repertoire consisting exclusively of original works that currently include; their internationally acclaimed full-length version of Romeo & Juliet (performed in Geneva in 2001), and this season's presentation, the full-length international co-production with the Hong Kong Ballet, Coppélia, their Mixed Program that celebrates the creative brilliance of some of Canada's finest choreographers, and their much adored children's ballet The Velveteen Rabbit which will be performed in Geneva as a school-time performance.

Ballet Jörgen Home Page

More information on Coppélia is available from allclassical.com.

Program Notes for the Evening's Concert. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (tm) which you can obtain free here).

Friday, 7 November 2003, 10:00 AM

Ballet Jörgen "The Velveteen Rabbit"

A school-time performance by Ballet Jörgen for the elementary school children of Geneva and the surrounding area of The Velveteen Rabbit will be held in Geneva on November 7, 2003 at the Smith Opera House. The Velveteen Rabbit tells the story of a young boy and his love for a stuffed rabbit that comes to life. The performance begins and concludes with interactive and educational activities that teach young audiences how dance a movement tell a story.

Later in the day, a master class with company director Bengt Jörgen will take place at Hobart and William Smith Colleges for students in the Department of Dance.

These activities have been underwritten by a major grant from an anonymous donor with additional grants and in kind support from Wegmans, the Smith Opera House, the Department of Dance at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and the contributions of the supporters of Geneva Concerts. Thanks!

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Thursday, 29 January 2004, 8:15 PM

Syracuse Symphony Orchestra

Grant Cooper, Conductor
Corey Cerovsek, Violin

• Copland: Tender Land Suite
• Corigliano: Suite from the Red Violin
• Ravel: Tzigane
• Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

Violinist Corey Cerovsek's graceful mastery of the violin, thoughtful interpretations and dramatic stage presence have earned him a loyal international following in the classical music world over the last 14 years. His stylistic flexibility and passionate enthusiasm have attracted the attention of conductors such as Mehta, Dutoit, Tilson Thomas, Järvi, Litton, Levi, Pinnock, Comissiona, Davis, Comet, Lopez-Cobos, Leppard, and Alsop. He has performed in the United States with the orchestras of Philadelphia, San Francisco, Detroit, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Buffalo, Baltimore, Colorado, Phoenix, San Diego, Denver, Kansas City, Utah, the New World Symphony, and with a number of orchestras internationally.

On the television front, Corey has been featured twice on NBC's Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, on the David Frost Show in England, on the PBS special Musical Encounters, and on CBS's Sunday Morning. His recording Corey Cerovsek Plays Wieniawski, made with pianist Katja Cerovsek for the Delos label, received critical acclaim. Additional releases on the Delos label include Mozart Adagios and Russian Soul, both with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra.

Program Notes for the Evening's Concert. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (tm) which you can obtain free here).

Syracuse Symphony Home Page

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Friday, 27 February 2004, 8:15 PM

the swingle singers

the swingle singers are an eight-voice a cappella group that has been performing around the world since 1963. They have recorded nearly 50 albums with a repertoire that ranges from the baroque and Bach, to the Beatles, and jazz. Several contemporary composers (e.g., Luciano Berio) have written music specifically for their unique vocal style.

the swingle singers Home Page.

Program Notes for the Evening's Concert. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (tm) which you can obtain free here).

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Saturday, 3 April 2004, 8:15 PM

Burning River Brass

Composed of twelve of the country's finest brass and percussion players, Burning River Brass is an ensemble on fire! The expanded instrumentation provides a broad palette of colors for works written for brass as well as fresh arrangements of classic literature. Superb blend, refined sound, sparkling technique, and exceptional musicianship are just a few of the qualities that make listening to Burning River Brass an unmatchable experience!

Members of Burning River Brass have appeared with The Cleveland Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony. They can be heard on movie soundtracks, commercial recordings, television, and radio. Burning River Brass has performed throughout the United States including concerts in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida. They have two CDs on the Dorian label with another in the works.

Burning River Brass Home Page.

Program Notes for the Evening's Concert. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (tm) which you can obtain free here).

A performance by Burning River Brass at the Geneva Middle School and master classes at Geneva High School have been underwritten by a major grant from an anonymous donor with additional grants and in kind support from Wegmans and the contributions of the supporters of Geneva Concerts. Thanks!