BY RUTH RICE
RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM
—
One musician with years of experience and another just beginning his musical experience will be showcased in this concert.
“Pride of Today and Hope for the Future” will be presented by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. March 12 at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, Richland Township.
The concert will feature the symphony’s principal cellist Olga Redkina and the winner of the Young Artist Competition, Michael Waddell.
“The title is self-explanatory,” said Maestro Istvan Jaray, music director and conductor of the symphony.
“Olga is today, and Michael is the future.”
Redkina will join the orchestra in performing French composer Edouard Lalo’s “Cello Concerto in D Minor.”
Jaray explained that there is never a solo player on their own with a symphony orchestra.
“A concerto is always played with the symphony,” he said.
“It’s written with an accompaniment by the orchestra. The soloist plays combined with the orchestra in the background.”
Redkina came to the United States in January 1999 to study at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh after receiving a bachelor’s degree in musical performance in her native Russia in 1998.
While at Duquesne, Redkina auditioned for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra in October 1999.
She received an artistic diploma and master’s degree in cello performance from Duquesne in 2002 and was named principal cellist for the 2002-03 Johnstown Symphony season.
“She has been principal cellist for a long time, and I’m very happy she accepted the call and agreed to do the solo,” Jaray said.
“We’re delighted to do this because when the audience hears the orchestra, they don’t know how many individual talents there are. This is the soloist’s chance to shine as an individual, and it gives the audience a general idea of the amount of talent we have.”
Jaray added that many orchestras bring in soloists from the outside, but he is proud to be able to use the symphony’s own members.
Waddell, who won the symphony’s Young Artist Competition in the fall, will perform a concerto for his instrument, the euphonium, which looks like a tuba.
The concert also will include Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture” and Franz Liszt’s “Les Preludes.”
“The Liszt will be special because this year is a celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth,” Jaray said.
“In the symphony world, the whole year will be dedicated to him. We’re delighted to be part of the celebration.”
Performance
What: “Pride of Today and Hope for the Future” presented by Johnstown Symphony Orchestra.
When: 7:30 p.m. March 12.
Where: Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, Richland Township.
Tickets: $25 and $30.
Information: www.johnstownsymphony.org or 535-6738.
