Make plans now to see the Oct. 19 opening of the Garland Symphony Orchestra’s new season, “Symphonic Kaleidoscope.”
The great composers often paint a musical picture and sometimes they even try to communicate a specific color. The GSO’s 2018-19 season will explore this intriguing intersection between the aural and the visual. With repertoire ranging from Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz to Gliere’s Red Poppy Suite, and from Auber’s Le domino noir to Ellington’s Mood Indigo, we will share with you a panoramic palette of orchestral sound. Pianist, Simone Sala, will return to open the season and perform Rhapsody in Blue.
This season will also feature Kiarra Saito-Beckman, violinist, performing John Corigliano’s “Chaconne” from The Red Violin, along with former London Symphony Orchestra Principal Violist, Paul Silverthorne, returning to perform the Walton Viola Concerto.
The Oct. 19 concert will feature pianist, Simone Sala performing Gershwin’s American classic, Rhapsody in Blue. Born in Bojano in central Italy, Simone Sala began his piano study when he was 9-years-old. After graduation from the L. Perosi State Conservatory in Campobasso, he was admitted to the piano class of Joaquin Achúcarro at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. Achúcarro then invited Sala to continue as his student at Southern Methodist University, where Sala earned an Artists’ Certificate in 2008.
Premiered in 1924, Rhapsody in Blue has become one of the most popular and well-known pieces in the repertoire. George Gershwin wrote it in an effort to integrate the new genre of jazz with the symphony orchestra. From the opening clarinet glissando to melodies now heard on TV and movies, Rhapsody in Blue has become a quintessential American work that everyone will recognize.
Sala has won over a dozen piano competitions in his native Italy, including the prestigious “Premio Napoli” International Piano Competition in Naples in 1999. He also won the Texas Young Artists Competition (2008) and the Hubbard Music Competition in Roundrock, Texas (2009). Sala has also appeared as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Donetsk Symphony Orchestra in Ukraine, Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria, Molise Regional Orchestra in Italy and SMU Meadows Symphony Orchestra.
As a recitalist, he has established a career in Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, Mexico and the U.S. Sala is also artistic director of the World Music Project, an summer festival held in the state of Molise, Italy. He is also a founding member of the jazz fusion ensemble Quintet for the End of Time, with which he performs in both the U.S. and Europe. His most recent CD, titled Duende, has been broadcast in Radio Italiana. In keeping with his Italian heritage, he is a discerning wine connoisseur and accomplished chef.
In addition, the GSO will be performing Aaron Copland’s Suite from The Red Pony, Moss’ Salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, and Griffes’ The White Peacock.
GSO credits music director, Robert Carter Austin, for its continued outstanding and diverse orchestral programming. His background encompasses over 30 years of professional music experience and includes degrees from MIT, Cambridge University and Stanford University. His experience includes conducting performances in countries including: Korea, Ukraine, Canada, Italy, Spain, China, France, Germany, Mexico, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Colombia, Philippines, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and U.S.
Season tickets start as low as $61. Single tickets are $17.50, $27.50 and $37.50. All are available by telephone 972-926-0611, fax 972-926-0811, info@garlandsymphony.org and online at www.garlandsymphony.org. Group discounts; call 972-926-0611 for information.
Concerts are at Granville Arts Center, Brownlee Auditorium, 300 North Fifth Street in downtown Garland. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. www.garlandsymphony.org