PATRICIA C. SYAK | Symphony notes Orchestra's concerts have a romance theme

Romance is the theme when the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra presents concerts at the Edward W. Powers Auditorium on Saturday and Feb. 14. Tickets are on sale for both concerts at the Symphony Center box office at (330) 744-0264.
On Saturday at 8 p.m., the orchestra, under the direction of Isaiah Jackson, presents a program of Romantic literature featuring young pianist Terrence Wilson in the "Grieg Piano Concerto."
Born in the Bronx, Wilson's interest in classical music was sparked at age 8 when he discovered by chance a New York classical radio station. He began lessons at a neighborhood community school and by age 11 was enrolled in the Preparatory Division of the Manhattan School of Music and the Professional Children's School.
Efforts have been made to read a strictly autobiographical program into the "A minor Piano Concerto" by Grieg. That it is a burst of youthful ardor in some great flush of excitement no one can doubt. The love of nature courses through it, as does a soaring emotionalism. There is a strange hymnlike intimacy in the first movement and the Norwegian folk echoes abound reflecting Grieg's devotion to his homeland. At its premiere, one critic stunned by its natural impressions saw "all Norway in its infinite variety and unity" before his eyes when he heard the concerto.
Show's opening
The orchestra opens Saturday's concert with "Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 1" and concludes with Drovak's most celebrated and famous work, the Symphony No. 9 "From the New World," written while Dvorak was director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York. Negro songs were the inspiration for Dvorak's Ninth Symphony. The second movement, one of the most celebrated in all symphonic music, has the unmistakable personality of a spiritual. Actually, one of Dvorak's pupils later wrote lyrics to the music. The song "Goin' Home" is almost as famous as the original.
The Saturday John S. and Doris Andrews Masterworks concert is underwritten in part by Youngstown Thermal.
Joining the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra during the final movement of the Ninth Symphony will be members of the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra. The Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Stephen Gage, will also present a cameo concert before the Masterworks concert beginning at 7 p.m.
"Symphonic Valentine" on Feb. 14 with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and Isaiah Jackson presents Three Broadway Divas performing such musical theater standards as "Sing for Your Supper" from "Boys From Syracuse," "Gypsy's" "Let Me Entertain You," "Big Spender" from "Sweet Charity" and an Andrew Lloyd Webber Love Trio, among others. Featuring Tony Award winner Debbie Gravitte (Jerome Robbin's "Broadway"), Jan Horvath ("The Phantom of the Opera" original cast member) and Christine Noll (from the original "Jekyll & amp; Hyde").
Top voice
Gravitte has been called "one of the best voices on Broadway" by the Associated Press. In 1989, Gravitte won the Tony Award for her critically acclaimed performance in Jerome Robbin's "Broadway." For her work, she also received the New York Showstopper Award, as well as a Drama Desk nomination. She made her Broadway debut in the original cast of "They're Playing Our Song," and went on to appear in "Perfectly Frank," "Blues In The Night," "Ain't Broadway Grand," "Zorba" (with Anthony Quinn) and "Les Miserables."
In addition to her roles as Christine and Carlotta in the original Broadway company of "The Phantom of the Opera," Horvath's other Broadway credits include "The Threepenny Opera" starring Sting, "Sweet Charity," "Stardust" and "Oliver." In addition to her Broadway credits, Horvath sang the leading role of Grizabella in the national touring company of "Cats." She also starred in the world premiere of "Encounter 500" at La Sistina in Rome, Italy, as Queen Isabella and was featured in The Bernstein Mass at the Vatican as part of the Jubilee Celebration.
New-York-born, New-Jersey-raised Noll came to the attention of the theatergoing community when she toured and made her Broadway debut starring in "Jekyll & amp; Hyde," creating the role of Emma. For this, she received a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical from the Friends of New York Theatre and a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Touring Musical.
Symphonic Valentine -- Three Broadway Divas is underwritten in part by the William B. Pollock Foundation.
Following the Symphonic Valentine concert, the Youngstown Symphony Guild will host Notable Valentine Sweets. A fund-raising event on behalf of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Notable Sweets will feature a variety of desserts. For reservations, call the Symphony Center box office at (330) 744-0264.
XPatricia C. Syak is executive director of the Youngstown Symphony Society.