PATRICIA C. SYAK | Symphony notes Double bass star to perform at Powers

"In the hands of Gary Karr the double bass sings with all the richness of the cello, the warmth of the viola and the agility of the violin," says Time magazine.
Gary Karr joins the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and Isaiah Jackson on March 24 at 8 p.m. at Powers Auditorium.
When the history of the 21st-century double bass is written, one name will dominate the chapters. Once deciding the status quo of the instrument had to change, Gary Karr -- self-proclaimed "clown prince" of the double bass -- set about single-handedly revolutionizing its role in the musical world. And he has, without question, succeeded.
Dragonetti, Bottesini and Koussevitsky shared a similar passion, but thanks to modern-age technology, communications and jet travel, Karr has been able to avidly pursue his goal in ways his historical counterparts never could. His talent and relentless devotion to stretching the possibilities of the instrument are combined with a love of performing and touching an audience. Moreover, he unashamedly considers classical music to be entertainment.
That Karr should take up the double bass as a child was no surprise, given that seven preceding generations had fostered bass players. Gary Karr's distinguished career has encompassed the entire world. As a soloist, recitalist and ensemble player, his unique programs have been met with raves on five continents. His extensive repertoire includes more than 40 works with orchestra, ranging from Baroque to contemporary music.
Selections: Karr will perform Bloch's Prayer and the Bottesini Grand Duo Concertant with YSO Concertmaster Calvin Lewis. Concerning Ernest Bloch, it should be noted that he was director of the Cleveland Institute of Music from 1920 to 1925, which saw the composition of his distinguished Piano Quintet and First Concerto Grosso. In 1954, Bloch became the first composer to receive the top award from the New York Critics Circle in two categories: chamber music and orchestral music.
Other selections on the program for the evening's Masterworks concert include Bach's Suite No. 4 for Orchestra (one of four written by the Baroque master for orchestra) and Beethoven's Symphony No. 2.
In describing Beethoven's Second Symphony, joyous is a word that comes to mind. And yet, if one argues that a composer's work mirrors his mental state at the time of its creation, it is hard to believe such youthful gaiety could have sprung from Beethoven during this period of his life. To begin, the deafness that had come upon him was increasing; a victim of colic, he consulted many physicians with little success. Adding to Beethoven's trials came the news that his love, Giulietta Guilliardi, had married another.
In the Second Symphony, Beethoven begins to break down the classic tradition of the 18th century, abandoning Mozartean classicism, and creates a musical form of his own called the "scherzo."
Tickets to the March 24 concert with Gary Karr are available by calling the Symphony Center box office at (330) 744-0264.
Join Gary Karr in conversation with Isaiah Jackson at Midday Musicale on Friday, March 23 at noon in the Grand Lobby at Symphony Center. Also on tap is a performance by the Youngstown Symphony String Quartet. Call the Symphony office at (330) 744-4269 to reserve a Midday Musicale lunch.
On Friday morning, March 23, Karr visits with Dana School of Music students in a lecture demonstration at Bliss Hall beginning at 10 a.m. Arrangements for this session were scheduled by the Youngstown Symphony Society in conjunction with Karr's appearance with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.
Also on tap: Join the parade of American passions as the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 76th season preview before the concert. To salute America's favorite pastime, baseball, Mahoning Valley Scrappers mascot Scrappy will be on hand in the Grand Lobby, and some lucky concertgoer will be awarded a Scrappers baseball cap and discount ticket book worth free admission to Scrappers home games and stadium refreshments.
Return to the days of soda fountain jerks and running-board cars with a display of automobilia and nostalgia provided by Classic Transportation. An exhibit of marquee movie placards courtesy of Easy Street Productions will also be featured in the Grand Lobby. And for a look at the musicians of the future, come hear the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra led by Stephen Gage in concert beginning at 7 p.m. Selections to be performed include the first movement of Schubert's Unfinished Symphony, the Elgar "Enigma" Variations No. 9 and the Overture to Rossini's The Barber of Seville.
XPatricia C. Syak is executive director of the Youngstown Symphony Society.