Pianist Mesa Schubek, winner of the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra’s Judith Elser Concerto Competition. Courtesy of Midcoast Symphony Orchestra
The Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rohan Smith, will perform “Favorite Music for All Ages” in Lewiston and Topsham on January 14th and 15th.
“Tubby the Tuba” by George Kleinsinger and Paul Tripp is both a children’s introduction to some of the orchestral instruments and an allegory about the importance of self-esteem. According to musicologist Mary Hunter, professor of music at Bowdoin College. Orchestral tubist Doug Artman will play the role of Tubby, and Dennis Shannon will provide the narration.
Mesa Schubek from Blue Hill performs the audience-pleasing first movement of Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto. Schubek won the orchestra’s Judith Elser Concerto Competition last spring. She previously had a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and is currently pursuing her second Master’s Degree in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Southern Maine.
“This Grieg concerto is a blast to play! It’s bold, sweeping, and beautifully romantic,” said Schubek in a news release. “From practicing solo, to performing with my teacher Laura Kalgl in his concerto competition, and now with an orchestra, I have had the opportunity to bring this work to life in a new way. ”
The concert will also include the Hungarian March from Hector Berlioz’s opera The Punishment of Faust. Midcoast Joel Preston, winner of his Symphony Orchestra’s “Conduct the Orchestra,” brings to life “Yankee Doodle,” arranged by 20th-century composer Morton Gould. Dance music concludes the program. Written in 1994, Arturo Marquez’s “Danzon No. 2” is one of his most popular works. The vibrant dance of Cuba and Mexico combines elements of his music. Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espanyol evokes Spanish rhythms and dance-like music.
Additionally, two young local violinists will provide intermission entertainment at Saturday’s concert in Lewiston. Also, everyone is welcome to attend the free pre-concert Meet the Instruments event (1:30-2:00 PM) held before the Sunday concert at Orion. Orchestra musicians stand by and offer people of all ages the opportunity to play orchestral instruments.
A limited number of free tickets are available for adults accompanying children at both concerts. One per family, first come first served. Complete concert and ticket information, including free ticket offers, can be found at MidcoastSymphony.org. Individual tickets are $22 in advance, $25 for concerts, and free for those 18 and under and college students with ID. Spectators are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at MidcoastSymphony.org or by calling The Box Her office at (207) 481-0790.
The Midcoast Symphony Orchestra is a community orchestra founded in 1990. It started as a chamber orchestra and now has over 80 members. Members are volunteer musicians from many communities in Maine.
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