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The Altoona Symphony Orchestra opens its 95th season at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Mishler Theatre with a special dedication and post-event reception to honor the legacy of longtime supporter Shirley A. Pechter.
The concert features world-class German-based pianist Dudana Mazmanishvili playing Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2. Under the direction of maestro Nick Palmer, who serves as music director and conductor, 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.
"We're really excited for this," said ASO President C. David Kimmel. "Shirley was a rather accomplished pianist so this really worked out well because (Mazmanishvili) was scheduled before we started thinking about how to honor Shirley. To make it with this particular concert and also kicking off the 95th season -- it's a double celebration. It's to honor her legacy and she has done so much for (the symphony)."
In addition to the program of music at the Mishler, guests will head to The Columns event venue at 1206 11th Avenue afterward for a special reception to celebrate Pechter, who died Jan. 20 at age 103 and was well known for her philanthropy and support of the arts in Blair County. She was an emeritus board member of the ASO.
"Shirley was so instrumental in the early years of the symphony," Kimmel said. "She made sure that things went well and, particularly, during the lean years when the symphony didn't have the reserves it has today -- she made sure the orchestra was able to continue."
As the orchestra has been planning this tribute, Kimmel said many people in the community have shared how Pechter helped them in various ways.
"She helped a number of musicians and young people who were interested in pursuing music and did so quietly through the years," Kimmel said. "She was always there. She was almost like my second mother. We were really very close and she was so very special that way."
Another friend of Pechter's Jane Hite is helping to put together the reception that will also share some history of the symphony's 95 years in the community.
Stephanie Everett, a member of the ASO, has worked with Altoona native Tom Sweitzer to create a videotaped tribute to Pechter. Sweitzer is unable to attend the festivities in person because he is performing his play "20 Seconds" off-Broadway.
Sweitzer reflected on his longtime friendship with Pechter:
"Shirley Pechter was my friend, but I think many of us can say that. She was a magical, inspiring person whom I couldn't wait to visit when I made my trips to Pennsylvania. She was constantly supporting all my endeavors and together we would dream. Music and humans were our connection. We both believed in the power and the healing of music and we both also believed in supporting other people,tated via email. Sweitzer, who is a music therapist, said he worked with Pechter when she started losing her voice before she moved from Altoona to New York City.
"I would give her Music Therapy exercises to help her regain her sound. That would have been the time, during those sessions, where I learned about the deepness of her love for family, for community and for the arts. I loved getting a hug from Shirley and feel blessed. I was one person who got to know her heart and mind and soul a little bit closer. She was a gift to so many in our community and helped launch, nurture and inspire so many of us in the arts," Sweitzer said.
Sweitzer will perform "She is Alive," from his play "Porches."
"He is singing it in tribute to Shirley. We will also have clips from some other people of the remembrances of Shirley," Everett said. Everett is also debuting a new community outreach effort to the community this season. "See You @ The Symphony" is a video presentation distributed on YouTube and social media each Sunday before a concert.
"The goal is to talk to or about the featured soloists and present some general information on the music to be performed at the concert. It's to give listeners a frame of reference for the works," Everett said.