The Rhapsodies (Masterworks 1)

Leif Bjaland, conductor
Stewart Goodyear, piano

Thursday, October 30, 8 p.m., Van Wezel
Saturday, November 1, 8 p.m., Van Wezel
Sunday, November 2, 2:30 p.m., Van Wezel

Join us for the spectacular start of our 60^th Anniversary Season, as Maestro Bjaland, together with the Orchestra and guest pianist Stewart Goodyear, weaves a rich tapestry in a vibrant presentation of The Rhapsodies. Experience this unforgettable tour of worldwide musical landscapes – from the rocky shores of Sweden (Alfven's Swedish Rhapsody No. 1) to the vast expanse of Russia (Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini). Along the way, you'll visit idyllic English scenes in Holst's A Somerset Rhapsody, thrill to gypsy-inspired passion (Enesco's Rumanian No. 1 Rhapsody), and come home, withGershwin's beloved Rhapsody in Blue.

Whether these are old favorites, or you're experiencing their lyrical beauty for the first time, you won't want to miss this inspiring performance, featuring the gifted young soloist Stewart Goodyear, an accomplished artist whose imagination, elegant style, and exquisite technique are a perfect fit for this exhilarating event.

The Orchestra Association will present Classical Conversations, an informative pre-concert talk on Thursday, October 30, at 10:30 a.m. in Holley Hall of the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. Admission is $8 and tickets may be purchased at the door.

About Stewart Goodyear, piano

Mr. Goodyear has performed with many of the major orchestras of the world, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Montreal Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the Detroit Symphony, the Seattle Symphony and the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra.

"...a crisp, emotionally radiant performance that combined dexterity and sensitivity in equal measure. Goodyear's delivery of this music was breathtaking."
- San Francisco Chronicle

"The phenomenal pianist Stewart Goodyear was a knockout ..."
- The Cincinnati Post