43
Season of surprises
Youngstown Symphony Orchestra prepares for upcoming performances
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
With a new acoustic shell in place, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra is ready to open a season that is full of highlights.
The new wooden shell, which is hoisted over the Powers Auditorium stage for concerts, was installed in August and September. The $467,000 project replaced the old acoustic shell, which dates back to 1968.
Probably the most unusual evening of the season will be Oct. 24, when Jack Hanna joins the YSO. Hanna is the director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, host of the TV show “Into the Wild” and a frequent guest on talk shows.
His appearance with the YSO will be his first with an orchestra.
“I’ve seen him a hundred times on TV and am so thrilled that the YSO will be his first orchestra gig,” said Randall Craig Fleischer, music director and conductor of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.
Hanna will narrate “Carnival of the Animals” and then give a 45-minute animal demonstration. After the show, children can meet the animals.
The Hanna performance is a special event and is not included in the season-ticket package.
The 2010-11 Masterworks series kicks off Saturday night when the YSO will be accompanied by the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus for “Carmina Burana.”
Fleischer said the chorus ranks among the top five or six symphonic choruses in the world. “Carmina Burana,” he said, is “the ultimate audience-pleaser.”
In a Nov. 6 Masterworks concert, the orchestra will perform a piece composed by Fleischer titled “Echoes.”
“This is the first of my own original works the YSO has played, and it is truly a visual and musical spectacle,” said Fleischer.
“Echoes” combines American-Indian singers, dancers and drummers doing indigenous songs in a collaborative symphonic work. “Very unusual, very new and — if I do say so myself — very entertaining,” said Fleischer. “There are gorgeous video projections of natural sights and sounds. ... it’s sort of like the opening scene to ‘Lion King’ but with Native American performers.”
The other Masterworks concerts include “A Night at the Movies” on Feb. 26, which will include musical excerpts from “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars” and other films.
“Renaissance,” featuring soloist Carol Wincenc, whom Fleischer describes as one of the top two or three flute soloists in the world, will be March 19.
The season will end April 30 with “All Beethoven,” featuring solo pianist Caroline Oltmanns, who is a professor at Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music.
“Isn’t it cool that Caroline lives in Youngstown?” said Fleischer. “She enjoys an international career, and the Dana is lucky to have her.”
On May 1, Elton John performed at Covelli Centre in one of the biggest concert coups in Youngstown history. But before that show was even announced, the Youngstown Symphony had already scheduled “Madman Across the Water,” a Pops series concert that pays tribute to the rocker. “Madman” will be Oct. 23.
“No, I didn’t know that Sir Elton was coming to Youngstown when I booked ‘Madman Across the Water’,” said Fleischer. “But if you loved the man himself, you’ll really enjoy this show, too. It’s all his best material but with full orchestra.”
The remaining two concerts in the Pops series also include some fresh surprises.
“Sounds of the Season” on Dec. 11 will be a holiday show featuring opera tenor Kip Wilborn, the Youngstown Connection, gospel singers and a tribute to the U.S. armed forces.
“Cirque de la Symphonie” (April 9) will include jugglers, strong men and aerial artists performing to classical masterpieces and contemporary music. “These are all amazing performers from the Cirque du Soleil gang,” said Fleischer. “They put on an incredible show.”