ASO marks 95 years of music
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The 95th season of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra brings a variety of past favorite performers, new musical works, a new chamber music series and the sale of commemorative merchandise.
"Season 95 Opening Night" is set for Sept. 30 at the Mishler Theatre with "Season 95 Opening Night" on Sept. 30 and is dedicated to the memory of the late Shirley Pechter. A noted philanthropist, former concert pianist and emeritus symphony board member, Pechter died Jan. 20 at age 103.
Opening night features world-class German pianist Dudana Mazmanishvili playing Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2.
The evening features Stravinsky's suite from "The Firebird," and the Shostakovich "Festive Overture," featuring the Altoona Brass Collective. The evening will also feature a fanfare written by Dave Villani.
Mazmanishvili first performed with the ASO in 2004 and has since enjoyed much success in recordings and playing with orchestras throughout the world.
"She was amazing. She made a really big splash," said Nick Palmer, music director and conductor, about Mazmanishvili's first Altoona appearance.
Mazmanishvili is one of several past guests who return to help the orchestra celebrate its 95th season.
"We wanted to have some performers who had performed with us in the past," Palmer explained. "It's a very unique milestone for any orchestra and especially for an orchestra in a smaller city," Palmer said. "It's very rare to find a symphony in a city like this that's 95 years old."
"It also says a lot about the community -- that the community really values great symphonic music. It's really significant."
Another returnee is former composer-in-residence Todd Goodman, who has composed a new piece that will be performed in a world premier by the trio Eastern Standard. Eastern Standard is composed of Heidi Lucas, ASO Principal Horn, Zach Collins, ASO Principal tuba, and pianist Jacob Ertl during a concert entitled "Colorful Connections" on Oct. 27.
The annual "Holiday Spectacular" is set for Dec. 2 at Altoona Area High School Auditorium with an array of beloved holiday classics including Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" featuring dancers from Cambria Dance Academy, a performance by the Altoona Youth Orchestra and collaborations with local choirs.
The season's second half begins March 16 with "Cross-Country Landscapes" featuring ASO Principal Cellist Kim Cook on March 16. Cook is a Distinguished Professor of Cello at Penn State and toured extensively as Artistic Ambassador for the U.S. State Department, according to her website.
"She's a very famous teacher and soloist," Palmer said of Cook. "She has a really great studio of cello players. And, she's made a lot of recordings. She's very, very accomplished and has soloed with the orchestra in the past also."
"Italian Night at the Symphony" is set for April 13, featuring IUP's Chorale with vocalists Brandis Ajay, a native of Altoona, and Bonnie Cutsforth Huber, a professor of music at Penn State Altoona. The IUP Chorale is under the direction of Dr. Craig Denison. The concert will feature an evening of music by Italian composers including excerpts from Verdi's "La Forza Del Destino" and Vivaldi's "Gloria." The orchestra will also showcase Rossini's "William Tell Overture" and Respighi's "Pines of Rome."
The 95th season closes with "ASO Goes Broadway," a collaboration with Altoona Community Theatre on May 11.
"Janey (Schwind, executive director) and I feel very strongly about collaborating with other community groups because it kind of magnifies the visibility of both groups," Palmer said.
The ASO Treasurer Rick Vanevenhoven will direct the collaboration and serves as a common connection between the two Altoona performing arts groups.
ACT is celebrating its 75th season, so the collaboration is especially meaningful, Schwind said.
New for the 95th season is the introduction of a new chamber music series, featuring three concerts that will showcase the brass, wind, and string sections of the orchestra. These performances cost $20 for general admission, free to students (18 years and under), and senior citizens (age 65 and over).
"These will feature our principal players and some section players from the wind, brass and string sections," Schwind said. "They are programming it which means they are using their expertise for their instruments and picking the repertory. It will give our community a more intimate listening experience and they will hear repertoire they wouldn't normally hear."
The recitals also offer an opportunity to bring music lovers to additional venues, such as First Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and ArtsAltoona.
The Altoona Symphony Orchestra is also offering a special merchandise sale with a special Season 95 logo. Merchandise orders are due by July 28.
A variety of subscriptions can be purchased through the Altoona Symphony Office by calling 814-943-2500 or submitting the order form found in the Season 95 brochure, which mailed in May. New subscriptions and renewals are due by August 4. Single tickets go on sale September 5.