Sunday, April 23, 2006
Pittsburgh Symphonywith Emanuel Ax
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Sir Andrew Davis and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra return to New Castle's Scottish Rite Cathedral April 30 to perform a program that features Emanuel Ax in Ludwig van Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto and works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Richard Wagner and Ralph Vaughan Williams. The 2:30 p.m. concert will open with a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere: The Lark Ascending, a romance for violin and orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams, rendered by Concertmaster Andr & eacute;s C & aacute;rdenes. Probably one of the most well-known pieces by Ralph Vaughan Williams, the music explores the birdsong in the countryside and employs the violin's technical characteristics as well as its singing qualities. Shostakovich's Ninth Symphony was composed for Leningrad Philharmonic's 25th concert season in 1945, and though it was expected to be the third in a trio of "War Symphonies," Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was infuriated about the work. Instead of writing a heroic and apotheosizing symphony, Shostakovich delivered one of his most satirical and mocking works ever -- and leaves its final evaluation to the audience. After the intermission, Sir Andrew Davis and pianist Emanuel Ax will join forces in Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto. Wagner's overture to his opera Tannh & auml;user concludes the performance. Tickets range from $21 to $63. For more information or to buy tickets, call (800) 743-8560.
Film commission seekscrew members for list
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Western Reserve Film Commission, which seeks to advance the movie-making industry in the Mahoning Valley, is compiling a list of available production crew members in the area. The list will become part of a database that can be accessed by filmmakers through the WRFC's Web site: www.filminohio.com. Directors, grips, caterers and others are asked to e-mail the following information to Richard Ouzounian, commissioner of WRFC, at info@filminohio.com: Name, position and years worked professionally at that position, address, phone number, fax number, mobile phone number, credits and descriptions.
TAG readies exhibitof area artists
WARREN-- Trumbull Art Gallery's 3rd annual Trumbull Area Artists exhibit will open in mid-May and run through June 10 at the gallery, 196-198 E. Market St., downtown. The juried show opens May 14 with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Cash awards will be presented at 3 p.m.
Artist Gail Trunick, who is curating this year's show, said the TAA exhibit contains a large variety of artistic styles, media and insights, created by both well-known and emerging area artists. Sixty to 80 pieces were on view in previous exhibitions.
Show content and subsequent award winners will be decided by this year's juror, Meeghan Humphrey, who is visual arts coordinator for the Ashtabula (Ohio) Arts Center.
WFMJ meteorologistearns recognitions
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dave Trygar, chief meteorologist of WFMJ-TV21, has earned the American Meteorological Society's Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation, a professional recognition of the quality of his weather broadcasts.
Trygar is the first broadcast meteorologist in the Youngstown market to earn the new designation.
The AMS grants the CBM designation to broadcast meteorologists who meet the criteria for scientific competence and effective communication skills.
Trygar has been the chief meteorologist at WFMJ for the past three years.
'Beauty and Beast'
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Disney musical "Beauty and the Beast" will be the first major drama production on Youngstown Christian School's new stage. The performance area is part of the new $3 million high school and gymnasium, which opened in September. "Beauty and Beast" was originally released as a film in the early '90s, but the rights for high school and community theaters to perform it were just released for this school year. Youngstown Christian's production has a cast and crew of 60. The school is at 4401 Southern Blvd. Show times are Thursday at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Friday at 7 p.m.; and Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 ($6 for the matinee), and $6 for students and seniors. Call (330) 788-8088 for more information.
Dinner at the Playhouse
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Playhouse is having a spaghetti dinner today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. to benefit the theater. The price is $8 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. The Playhouse is off Glenwood Avenue.