PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Full slate of concerts set at Scottish Rite Cathedral

Organizers hope to draw people from the Youngstown area.
By ASHLEE OWENS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A new season of song has been conceived for fans of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. And you don't have to go to Pittsburgh to experience the musical delivery -- it's all taking place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle.
The season kicks off Oct. 18 with "Barbra Streisand Songbook." Marvin Hamlisch conducts the 100-member orchestra while critically acclaimed Broadway star Julie Budd sings Streisand's most-loved hits. Budd, who somewhat resembles Streisand with her big eyes, full lips and blond locks, was invited to perform because of her immense vocal abilities: "I chose Julie Budd to sing these songs because she is the artist who most sounds like Barbra. Truly a rare find," Hamlisch said.
And Hamlisch should know. The Oscar-Emmy-Grammy-Tony-Golden Globe-Pulitzer Prize-winning pops conductor has worked with Streisand on various shows, including "Funny Girl" and "The Way We Were." He also conducted during Streisand's 1994 tour of Europe.
"They really do share a strong relationship," said Charlene Osborne, manager of the symphony at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. "And since he has this relationship with Barbra, I think we're going to hear some background, some insights about working with her, songs and funny stories."
Then what
The season's second concert -- "Pictures at an Exhibition" -- is slotted for Feb. 17 and features Barber's "Adagio for Strings," Dvorak's "Cello Concerto in B minor" and Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition."
"This is a very accessible concert, very easy to listen to and very recognizable," said Jody Doherty, vice president of public affairs for the symphony.
World-renowned Peter Oundjian will conduct. Guest cellist Alisa Weilerstein -- born in 1982 and not yet a senior at Columbia University in New York -- is spotlighted during the Dvorak piece. Weilerstein made her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Youth Symphony in 1997.
The season concludes with "Pops Goes British" on May 2. The show, a tribute to British composers, highlights the music of Anthony Newly, Gilbert and Sullivan and -- the name synonymous with a technicolored dreamcoat and a ghastly mask -- Andrew Lloyd Webber. Costumed singers and dancers will perform selections from "Evita," "Oliver," "The Mikado," "Cats," "Sunset Boulevard" and "Phantom of the Opera," with Jack Everly conducting.
But the current season -- 2003-04, that is -- is not over yet. On May 27, "America's Music: A Swing-Era Salute" will commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day. Hamlisch will lead the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in performances of big band and swing melodies, patriotic anthems and marches. Tickets start at $15.
Valley draw
"We'd love to draw more people from the Youngstown area, because even though the Youngstown Symphony plays there, this isn't competition; it's an embellishment," Osborne said of the symphony-at-the-cathedral. "It just gives people more opportunities to hear world-class music."
Three-concert subscription prices start at $51 and range up to $147. Individual tickets may be purchased.
XFor more information, call the Pittsburgh Symphony, (800) 743-8560 or go to www.pittsburghsymphony.org.