The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) continues its 75th anniversary season Saturday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center and Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m. at George Washington Masonic Memorial.
Throughout the year, the ASO is celebrating this milestone birthday with special appearances and events with new Music Director Maestro James Ross and members of the ASO.
The concert opens with two selections by Leonard Bernstein, the Overture to West Side Story and “Three Dance Episodes” from On the Town. Coming on the heels of his 100th birthday celebrated world-wide, Bernstein is regarded fondly as the first all-American maestro. ASO’s new maestro, James Ross, studied conducting with Bernstein. “Bernstein was a huge influence on me, as he was for generations of young American conductors,” recalls Ross. “He made each of us feel that with our own unique gifts we may be the great hope of classical music.”
Also on the program is an original cello concerto by local composer Jessica Krash, a resident of Bethesda. Krash collaborated throughout the project with cellist Tanya Anisimova, who will perform as soloist with the ASO for the piece’s world premiere. Inspired by nature and the Anisimova’s astounding skill, the composition was supported in part by a grant from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County. Krash will join Maestro Ross before Saturday’s performance for an interactive pre-concert chat at 7 p.m., where they will discuss the composition process.
After Krash’s ground-breaking premiere, the audience will enjoy Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3, commonly called his “Scottish,” which he composed over 13 years following a visit to Scotland in his youth. Warming up Alexandria residents for the annual Scottish Christmas Walk, the piece is a prelude to this most-loved event and the city’s Scottish heritage. “This music is episodic, craggy, scenic, lonely, and full of melodies that sound like folk songs,” observes Maestro Ross.
The fully-professional Alexandria Symphony Orchestra performs Saturday evenings at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center and Sunday matinees at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.
Single-ticket prices range from $20 to $80 for adults, and there are $5 youth and $10 student tickets. Military, senior and group discounts are also available. To order tickets and for more information, visit www.alexsym.org or call (703) 548-0885.
