WVSO Returns to Campus on Oct. 16

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Grant Cooper performs the second concert of its 2014-2015 season, “Celebrating Lyricism,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Colebank Hall at Fairmont State University.

Adult tickets start at $20, and student tickets start at $5. For tickets, call the Fairmont State University Box Office at (304) 367-4240.

“This concert contains works that come from three different musical worlds, but each composer shares a desire to write music that communicates directly and profoundly with their audience,” Cooper said.

Award-winning cellist Julie Albers will join the WVSO to perform Byron Adams’ melodic and tonal “Concerto for Violoncello.” Albers is recognized for her radiant performing style. She strays from showmanship, instead letting the music speak for itself.

“About five years ago, Julie and Byron were participating in a pre-concert panel at our Snowshoe Festival. Her initial introduction to Byron’s music gave Byron the opportunity to show Julie his cello concerto, and now in 2014, we have finally been able to bring a performance to the stage,” Cooper said.

Adams said he made substantial revisions to the score. “This series of performances marks the premiere of the revised score,” Adams said.

The Orchestra will also perform the Overture to Bedřich Smetana’s comic opera, “The Bartered Bride,” a work that is considered the first musical masterpiece of the Czech Republic. The concert ends with Tchaikovsky’s deeply emotive “Symphony No. 6, Pathetique.”

Albers recently accepted the position of Principal Cellist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. She also is currently an assistant professor and holds the Mary Jean and Charles Yates Cello Chair at the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University in Macon, Ga.

West Virginia Symphony OrchestraGrant Cooper