DePauw Orchestra's opening concert to feature Cymerman

Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Pianist Claude Cymerman will perform Saturday night as the DePauw University Orchestra kicks off its season. His appearance marks the second of four farewell performances the noted pianist will give this fall.

The DePauw University Orchestra launches its season this Saturday, Oct. 5 with "Millennium Canons" by 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts.

Featured on the opening program will be faculty pianist Claude Cymerman performing the famous "Piano Concerto in A Minor" by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

Professor Orcenith Smith will conduct the concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium in the Green Center for the Performing Arts at DePauw.

Following the celebratory fanfare by Puts, will be Ottorino Respighi's colorful "Fountains of Rome," the first work in his Roman Trilogy. The symphonic poem consists of four different sections that each paints a portrait of one of Rome's fountains at a particular point throughout the day.

The culmination of the Saturday evening program will be the performance by Cymerman of the "Grieg Piano Concerto." Its exhilarating opening theme will likely be familiar to audiences as it has found its way into a variety of pop culture contexts, including prime-time TV.

In each movement, the composer makes use of the musical language of his native country by drawing on themes from Norwegian folk music and tradition.

"We are very excited about having Professor Cymerman, a world-class artist from our own piano faculty, performing with the orchestra," Smith said. "He brings an elegance, accuracy and strength to his music-making that communicates the subtle beauty of everything that he plays."

Now in his 40th year with the DePauw School of Music, Cymerman plans to retire from teaching in May.

His appearance with the DePauw Orchestra marks the second of four farewell performances to be given by the pianist this fall. He also will perform his own transcription of Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" for two pianos, with guest artist Lorna Griffitt, on Oct. 30 and George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with the DePauw University Band on Nov. 24.

General admission tickets for DePauw Orchestra performances in the Green Center are $3; admission for all students, children and seniors over 65 is free.

For additional information or assistance with purchasing tickets, persons may stop by the box office on the ground floor of the Green Center at 605 College Ave., visit www.depauw.edu/music/tickets or call 658-4817.

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