MUSCATINE, Iowa – On Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m., the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra returns to the stage at Wesley United Methodist Church to present its second MasterWorks concert of the 2021-2022 performance season.
Another not to be missed concert performances by the Symphony introduces a truly world-class concert violinist, Sirena Huang. The 2017 First Prize winner of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition, Huang has a proven and amazing track record of successes on the concert stage. As an incredibly gifted young musician, she made her solo debut with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra at the age of nine-years-old.
Huang will bring her charisma, musicality, and astounding technique to bear on the famous “Violin Concerto in E-minor” by Felix Mendelssohn, a work she has received rave reviews for previous performances. In addition to her concert performance, she will spend some quality time with the young musicians in the Muscatine High School Orchestra program.
Guest artist Huang looks forward to sharing the Mendelssohn concerto with Muscatine: “As a musician, we have the great privilege of getting a chance to know the most personal side of a composer. It’s always humbling to see how despite living in different times, or coming from a complete different background, I somehow still feel deeply connected to Mendelssohn—not just as someone I respect and admire, but also as an old friend. It really goes to show that music transcends boundaries, and it’s my deep hope that my listeners will be able to feel that same connectedness too.”
In the stories of King Arthur, a mythical being Nimuë, was a fairy-like enchantress. There are stories of her connection to King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Merlin, and even the magical sword Excalibur. Composer Daniel Perttu has created a newly commissioned work for the Muscatine Symphony entitled “Nimuë and her Fairies: A Tone Poem.”
“Bringing a piece of music to life for the very first time is a truly exhilarating experience for me as a conductor. Putting a historical spin to a modern experience is important to me. For example, imagine being at the premier of ‘Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5,’ or Stravinsky’s ‘Rite of Spring.’ Newly composed pieces by today’s living composers could have such a long and lasting impact on symphonic music, and we will be experiencing a truly historic moment with this piece by Daniel. No one has ever heard this before. Very cool!” mused Maestro Brian Dollinger, conductor of the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra.
Rounding out the evening’s performance is the indelible “5th Symphony” of Franz Schubert. A work written when Schubert was only 19-years-old, this work is probably the most lively and playful of all of his symphonies.
“The evening will be quite the trifecta. A whimsical, iconic symphony; a world premier piece of music; and a world class artist, I can’t think of a better way to spend your evening here in Muscatine,” Dollinger opines: “To have these experiences in a town our size, let alone as part of an annual year-long series of concerts, is quite extraordinary. I really want everyone to come and experience this gem right in our river town.”
While the finishing touches will be put on this coming performance, the Symphony prepares for the next opportunities for our community. On Dec. 4, “Christmas with the Symphony” returns for its free live performance to kick off the holiday season.
On Jan. 7, 2022, a truly one of a kind event will take place at the Merrill Hotel. “First You Dream,” an inspiring and uplifting musical story about the life of Broadway star, Allison Blackwell, will be the centerpiece of the Symphony’s Gala Fundraising Event. Blackwell will perform her solo show for an intimate audience in the grand ballroom of the Merrill. The evening will have cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with musicians from the Muscatine Symphony providing entertainment. Dinner will then be served enhanced by the symphony’s principal harpist. Finally for coffee and desserts will be the amazing performance of Blackwell accompanied by Muscatine’s own Cheryll Drake Ryder.
Get your tickets from the Symphony website or call 563-264-2071
For more information on the concert event visit the Muscatine Symphony website.
Additional Resources:
Muscatine Symphony Orchestra website: https://muscatinesymphony.org
Brian Dollinger website: www.briandollinger.com
Sirena Huang website: www.sirenahuang.com
Daniel Perttu website: www.danielperttu.com
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