Orchestra's season promises something to remember, enjoy

Tom Lavis tpotts@tribdem.com

— When the baton drops for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra’s 2010-11 season, audience members will be captivated by the varied program.

Titled “You Should Hear Us Now,” the season will be led by Maestro and Music Director Istvan Jaray, who promises that each concert will have something to remember and enjoy.

“From the romantic piano concerto of Rachmaninoff to an exciting evening with Gershwin, each concert provides a range of emotions,” Jaray said.

 All performances in the seven-concert subscription series are held at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, 450 Schoolhouse Road, Richland Township.

For the first time, two Sunday afternoon performances have been added. The concerts are at 2:30 in February and April.

The October, November, December, March and May concerts will be at 7:30 p.m.

“We are offering some afternoon concerts for several reasons, but the underlying purpose is to allow people to attend who may fear encountering bad weather,” Jaray said. “It’ just another option to grow the audience.”

In that same vein, Jaray is battling the same obstacle he has encountered during his tenure as conductor: Getting people who are unfamiliar with classical music to come.

“I don’t know why people are so intimidated about attending a symphony concert,” he said. “Perhaps it’s the myth that people have to wear fancy clothes or it’s just for the wealthy.”

However, Jaray said music written by the great composers was intended for all people.

“People would walk the streets whistling these tunes,” Jaray said. “My father was a blue-collar worker who enjoyed all types of music, including classical.

“People should just come in the clothes they feel most comfortable to hear something incredible.”

The subscription season begins Oct. 16 with “Romantic Birthday Celebration.” It highlights music of the Romantic era with pianist Elena Ulyanova performing Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2.”

“She’s a brilliant pianist,” Jaray said. “As soon as people hear the concerto, they’re going to say, ‘I’ve heard that in a movie or in a television commercials.’ ”

The concert also will celebrate the 200th birthday of Robert Schumann, who composed the featured piece, “Symphony No. 3 ‘Rhenish.’ ”

 “Autumn Sunshine – Winter Dreams” will be performed Nov. 13 and will celebrate the talent of violinist Ann Fontanella.

Fontanella has performed several times in the Chamber Music Series of Greater Johnstown.

“This will be a nice way for her to become more well-known in the community,” Jaray said. “She is a brilliant, upcoming talent who is working her way up. In five years, she will be known worldwide.”

She will perform Saint-Saens’ “Concerto No. 3.” The program also includes Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 2 ‘Winter Dreams.’ ”

Jaray advises patron to get their season tickets early to ensure that they will have a seat for “Joyful Holiday Spectacular” on Dec. 11. It’s a family event with holiday music by the orchestra, symphony chorus and guest artists.

“I suspect there will be few, if any, tickets available at the door,” Jaray said. “This always is the highlight concert of the season.”

The first Sunday afternoon concert on Feb. 13 is “From the Tutu to the Tango.”

“From Bach to Beethoven, composers wrote music specifically for dance,” Jaray said. “We will cover music from the 17th to the 21st centuries written for ballet and waltzes to polkas and the Argentine tango.”

March 12 is the date for the “Pride of Today and Hope for the Future” concert that will showcase the symphony’s principal cellist, Olga Redkina, who will perform “Lalo Cello Concerto.”

“We always try to pull one of our musicians out of the orchestra to show the audience the brilliance of our players,” Jaray said.

Also during the concert, the winner of the symphony’s Young Artist Competition will be named.

“Heavenly Music at Easter” on April 17 will feature JSO Chorus onstage for the second Sunday afternoon concert of the season. The orchestra and chorus will bring the music of Handel’s “Messiah” to life at the same time of year that it premiered in 1742 during the Easter season.

“While most people associate ‘Messiah’ with Christmas, it actually was written for the Easter celebration,” Jaray said.

 The final concert is May 14, an “All Gershwin Evening.”

“Anytime we do Gershwin, we know tickets will be at a premium,” Jaray said.

While not a part of the regular season, the 18th annual Opera Festival, featuring international opera stars singing with the symphony, will be held Sept. 18.

The festival includes a lavish reception and gourmet buffet with live and silent auctions held at the Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown following the concert.

Season ticket holders will receive assigned seats of their choice, subject to availability.

Adult seats will be $175 and $135, seniors will be $100 and students will be $60.

Special prices for families of four or more are available.

A Flex-Six pass for $145 provides six vouchers that may be exchanged for any of the seven subscription concerts in any combination of one to six seats at a time.

Exchanges for the December concert will be limited.

Information: JSO office, 535-6738, or via e-mail at info@johnstownsymphony.org.

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