The Garland Symphony Orchestra continues its 2014-2015 “la bella Italia!” February 20.
For this performance, GSO will feature Paul Silverthorne, principal viola of the London Symphony performing Harold in Italy by Berlioz and Paganini’s Sonata for Viola and Orchestra and Reinhard Seehafer as guest conductor.
Silverthorne is one of the UK’s foremost viola players. He holds the principal positions in both the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta and appears regularly as a soloist with these and other major orchestras around the world.
Throughout his career he has worked closely with some of the leading composers of our time, this relationship inspiring many of them to write for him, enlarging a repertoire that already encompasses all the major viola works as well as his own transcriptions and lesser known pieces from all periods.
He has recorded a wide range of repertoire for EMI, Black Box, Naxos, Chandos, Koch International Classics, Meridian, Toccata Classics and others to much critical acclaim.
He is a professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and plays a viola made by the Brothers Amati in 1620 which is loaned to him from their collection.
In addition to Silverthorne’s solo performances, GSO will also be performing Bellini’s Overture to Norma.
Reinhard Seehafer is the founder and music director of the Europa Philharmonie. Seehafer was born in Magdeburg, Germany, studied conducting, composing and piano in Berlin and Weimar with Kurt Masur and Rolf Reuter and qualified as a conductor with Leonard Bernstein and Otmar Suitner. As an opera conductor, he conducted around 800 performances of more than 40 different operas. In 2010 Seehafer received the Gellert Prize for his extraordinary artistic accomplishments in Central Germany.
The Garland Symphony Orchestra credits its Music Director, Robert Carter Austin for its continued outstanding and diverse orchestral programming. Maestro Austin’s background encompasses over 30 years of professional music experience and includes degrees from MIT, Cambridge University and Stanford University.
Season tickets are as low as $61. Single tickets are $17.50, $27.50 and $37.50. All are available by calling 972-926-0611, faxing 972-926-0811 or emailing info@garlandsymphony.org. Group discounts are available; Call 972-926-0611 for information.
All concerts begin at 8 p.m.at the Granville Arts Center, Brownlee Auditorium.