By TOM LAVIS
TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM
The fifth concert of Johnstown Symphony Orchestra’s 81st season will feature a few rarities that will delight concertgoers.
From an uncommon tuba solo to a local executive making his conducting debut, “The Titan and Shining Brass” concert promises to be a performance to remember.
The concert, under the direction of Maestro Istvan Jaray, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, 450 Schoolhouse Road in Richland Township.
It features members of the JSO as soloists and music that spans nearly 200 years.
The concert’s repertoire includes the titan of classical music Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7,” completed in 1812.
Fast-forward nearly 40 years, the audience will enjoy the Schumann’s 1849 composition “Konzertstuck for Four Horns.”
And finally, the contemporary sound of Ewazen’s “Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra,” which premiered in 1998, will be performed.
“When people think of a symphony orchestra, they immediately think of the traditional concert solo instruments like the piano, violin or cello,” Jaray said.
“Brass has not necessarily been in the forefront of the symphony, but we are changing that with this concert.”
One reason for the rarity of brass solos is because the birth of the instruments is fairly late in musical history, Jaray said.
Composers in the time of Beethoven and Bach didn’t have an opportunity to concentrate on brass.
“We have such incredible talent in the brass section of our orchestra, we want to showcase it,” Jaray said.
The Ewazen “Tuba Concerto” features Zach Collins, JSO principal tubaist.
Collins has performed with ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific, Santa Barbara and Monterey symphonies.
He also has performed on several motion picture sound tracks, including “Spider-Man 3,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” “X-Men 3” and “Live Free or Die Hard.”
In 2007, he performed on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno with the band Korn.
Sometime prior to intermission, Jaray will hand his baton to Edward J. Sheehan Jr., president and chief executive officer of Concurrent Technologies Corp. (CTC), who was the top bidder for the honor during the reception following the 2009 Opera Festival.
Asked about his musical expertise, Sheehan good-naturedly said his closest brush with becoming a musician occurred when he was a youngster.
“I think I took three piano lessons, but soon learned that my short, fat fingers and lack of talent would force me to retire at an early age,” he said.
“Maestro has been good enough to invite me to several rehearsals for me to get some practice.
“I only hope my participation will contribute to a fun evening and bring some people who have never attended a symphony performance or those who may have been away for a while, to join in the festivities,” Sheehan said.
CTC also will sponsor an Irish coffee intermission.
The Three Rivers Horn Quartet features Ramsey Fantini, Denise Gamble, Bryan Adkin and Dennis Emert on French horn.
“In the past, the orchestra has allowed the principal trumpet to step out front, but these brass opportunities have been rare,” Jaray said.
“Brass musicians usually sit in the back, but this concert is their time to shine, and we want to let the audience get acquainted with their magnificent talents.”
Tickets are $22 and $26 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and $10 for students.
To order tickets, call 269-7200 or (800) 846-2787.
Information: 535-6738.
Onstage
Who: Johnstown Symphony Orchestra.
Where: Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, 450 Schoolhouse Road, Richland Township.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets: $22 and $26 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and $10 for students. Call: 269-7200 or (800) 846-2787.
Information: 535-6738.
