HHS Orchestra Presents - A Night in Russia

Posted: March 11, 2010

HOMESTEAD HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA PRESENTS

 

A NIGHT IN RUSSIA

 

THE 26th ANNUAL ORCHESTRA BENEFIT CONCERT – SATURDAY, MARCH 13th at 7:00 PM

 

          Journey to Russia through music on Saturday, March 13, as the Homestead High School Orchestra performs the exciting Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2 in C Minor with guest artist pianist Raffi Besalyan as part of their 26th Annual Orchestra Benefit Concert.  Hailed as a “true heir of the mainstream of Russian pianism, like Horowitz” by Chopin Magazine, Armenian-born Besalyan has established an international reputation as a magnetic and passionate performer. Active as a recitalist, orchestral soloist, and chamber musician, Besalyan appears in many important music venues worldwide. Critics on both sides of the Atlantic have praised Besalyan's performances for its virility, poetry and extraordinary technical command. The Armenian reporter Int'l – New York stated that "Standing ovation and cries of ‘Bravo’ and ‘Encore’ went to pianist Raffi Besalyan …mesmerized the audience with his gracious, delicate yet powerful presentation of Rachmaninoff's Concerto No.3." “The entire hall was devoured by Besalyan's glorious touch and crystalline sound…Besalyan was not just playing the piano, he was creating wonderful art, and treated the piano with his love for the music.” Sotokuan Press (Osaka, Japan).  In August of 2008 Dr. Besalyan joined the Piano Faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he is Artist/Teacher-Assistant Professor of Piano.  The Homestead Orchestra travelled to UWSP last month, where they were treated to a day full of workshops led by the university faculty, concluding with an exciting rehearsal led by Professor Besalyan. 

 

         From John Emmanuelson, Homestead’s director: “Working with Raffi on the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 is truly a dream-come-true project for me!  He is absolutely a world class artist--in demand as an orchestral concert soloist and recitalist in Europe, Asia, and North and South America.  It is a tremendous opportunity for the students at Homestead to collaborate with a musician at this level.  It was fun to see the excitement in their eyes when we started our first rehearsal in Stevens Point with Prof. Besalyan--listening to a recording of this virtuosic work cannot prepare you for the thrill of seeing and hearing live what it takes to perform this incredibly difficult and powerful music.  I know they are extremely motivated to make sure our part of the performance is as prepared as possible--Raffi will be performing this same work with the UW-Stevens Point orchestra earlier in the week of our concert, so we are very aware of the comparison between the older orchestra and our work here. Rachmaninoff is a very special composer to Raffi, and he brings so much heartfelt expression to his interpretation of this music--our performance on March 13 should be a memorable experience for all participants and audience members alike!

 

        ]We are actually bringing in a special grand piano for Raffi's use during his residency at Homestead.  This extraordinary arrangement was made possible by UW-Stevens Point Piano Technician Dave Hulbert of Hulbert Piano Service.  Dave actually introduced me to Raffi last year, and is eager for audiences across Wisconsin to have the opportunity to be dazzled by Raffi's artistry and musical passion.  We are borrowing an instrument for his performance in Mequon, and I am deeply appreciative that we are able to provide a world-class instrument to match Prof. Besalyan's talents during this project!”

 

          More information about Raffi Beslayan is available on the Homestead Orchestra website http://email.mtsd.k12.wi.us/~jemanuelson/RaffiBesalyan%20Bio%202010.pdfhttp://email.mtsd.k12.wi.us/~jemanuelson/RaffiBesalyan%20Bio%202010.pdf

 

          The concert also includes Johannes Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture which the students also worked on during their mini-tour in February, this time under the direction of Randal Swiggum, director of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra. Now in his ninth season with the EYSO, Randy Swiggum has enjoyed a diverse teaching career.  As composer, conductor, teacher, and advocate for young people in the arts, he has established a reputation for musical excellence and a commitment to music education through performance.  Mr. Swiggum provided not only direction for performance of the Academic Festival Overture, but historical context, making the music come alive for his students. The students were joined in their Brahms workshop by several guest bassoonists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Symphony Orchestra.

 

          Tickets for the concert may be purchased at the door for $10.00 each the night of the concert, or through the orchestra website below. The evening promises to be a memorable one, providing world-class music in the James Barr Auditorium of Homestead High School, 500 W. Mequon Road, Mequon. For more information about the concert and the orchestra, please visit the orchestra website at www.homesteadorchestra.com.