The Irving Symphony Presents "James Bond Meets Rachmaninoff"

Recently described as “having the inner passion paired with Rubinstein’s nonchalance” by Thüringer Allgemeine in Germany, Canadian pianist Sheng Cai has embraced the keyboard tradition which epitomizes the greatness of the romantic virtuoso.

The Toronto Star headlined, “This is a young man with real talent... from a clear, singing tone to a subtle sense of rubato to a judicious choice of tempi.” He was described as a pianist “with great confidence... giving more lucidity, color and power” by the Birmingham News. Since winning the top prize at Concour OSM (Montreal Symphony Competition) and Toronto Symphony’s competition at just 15, Sheng Cai has performed a broad spectrum of concerto repertoire from Mozart to 21st century composers with invitations worldwide as guest soloist. Recent concerto performances include concerts with the Toronto Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Quebec Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony, Canton Symphony of Ohio, Denver Philharmonic, Fort Collins Symphony in Colorado, New Bedford Symphony, Orchestre de Cannes in France, in Germany with Philharmonisches Orchester Erfurt, Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach, Philharmonie Südwestfalen, Krakow Philharmonic of Poland, North Bohemian Philharmonic, Jalisco Philharmonic of Mexico, and Orquesta Filarmonica de Bogota in Collumbia. As a chamber musician, Sheng Cai has collaborated with fine artists including the Enso String Quartet. His performances have been broadcast on worldwide radio stations such as Radio France Musique, Czech Radio, CBC Radio Canada and WCLV Radio station in the U.S. He is a passionate recording artist--his first recording was a CD of works by Mozart

and Martinu for the Canadian Broadcast Company. His most recent Schumann and Liszt CD releases on ATMA classique labels gained international acclaim from the American Record Guide, The international Music Web review in UK, the Wholenote Magazine in Canada, and Fanfare Music Magazine in the U.S. Sheng Cai is instrumental in advocating many neglected works that are peaks of piano literature. Works by composers such as Enescu, Kabalevsky, Kapustin, Mathieu, Medtner, Morawetz, Villa-Lobos, and a number of his own works frequently show up on his concert programs. He began his studies in Canada and the U.S. as a student at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and Juilliard School’s pre-college division in New York. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree under full scholarship at The New England Conservatory in Boston. His teachers and mentors include pianists Anton Kuerti, Gary Graffman and Russell Sherman.

Maestro Hector Guzmán is regarded as one of the most respected and admired conductors in this country and abroad. He is Music Director of the Irving, Plano, San Angelo, and Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestras in the United States and Conductor Emeritus of the Jalisco Philharmonic in Mexico.

In addition, he has been guest conductor of an array of prestigious ensembles: Mexico: National Symphony, Mexico City Philharmonic, UNAM Philharmonic, Xalapa Symphony, Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra, Vivaldi Orchestra of Mexico City, and State of Mexico Symphony. United States: Dallas Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Tulsa Philharmonic, the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, and the Chicago Sinfonietta. Dominican Republic: National Symphony. Czech Republic: Collegium Orchestra of Prague. Poland: Rszezow Philharmonic. Japan: Japan Philharmonic. South Korea: Masan Philharmonic and Gangsam Symphony. Italy: Amadeus Orchestra, Sinfonia Venetto, Milano Classica Orchestra, Bari Symphony, San Remo Symphony, and Pomeriggi Musicale Orchestra of Milan.

Spain: Sinfónica de Murcia, Joven Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, and Excelentia Orchestra. Germany: Herzer Orchester, Panamá: National Symphony, Guatemala, Festival Orchestra, among many others. In Sept. 2022, Maestro Guzmán was named “Artist in residence” of the prestigious “Madrid Soloists Orchestra” in Spain.

In addition to a spectacular career as a conductor, he enjoys international success as a concert organist, performing in venues such as the Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas, the Spivey Hall Distinguished Artist Series in Atlanta, the Olivet Nazarene recital series in Illinois, the cathedrals of Morelia, Guadalajara (Mexico) and Chartres (France), and the International Music Festivals in Toledo, Spain, and Zamora, Mexico. Maestro Guzmán holds degrees from the Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, the University of North Texas (BM), and Southern Methodist University (MM). His teachers include his mentor Anshel Brusilow, former concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra and

former music director of the Dallas Symphony, and internationally renowned conductors Helmuth Rilling (University of Oregon) and Carlo Maria Giulini (Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy). He was also a protégé of the late Maestro Eduardo Mata, music director of the Dallas Symphony. In his native Mexico, Hector Guzmán achieved an impressive reputation as an organist, under Prof. Victor Urban, by taking first prize in the “Chamber Soloists” and the “Manuel M. Ponce” national organ competitions. In the U.S, while a student of world-famous master teachers Dr. Robert Anderson and Alfred Mouledous, he earned further distinction by winning solo competitions at SMU and the University of North Texas. In addition, Maestro was the first Latin American ever chosen as a finalist in the “Grand Prix de Chartres,” the world’s most prestigious international organ competition celebrated in France. In addition, he received the “Mozart Medal,” Mexico’s highest musical honor, presented by the Embassy of Austria, the “Distinguished Mexican Award” from the government of Mexico, and is recognized as the 2022 North Texas Performing Arts “Distinguished Performing Artist Award” for his contributions to music worldwide.

Hector Guzmán

Music Director and Conductor

Irving Symphony Orchestra

Hector Guzmán, Music Director

October 8, 2022 • 7:30 pm

Irving Arts Center - Carpenter Performance Hall Concert Title Sponsor: The Amati Circle

JAMES BOND MEETS RACHMANINOFF GUEST ARTIST: SHENG CAI, PIANO

PROGRAM

TO THE SUMMIT** MARK FRANCIS FOR ORCHESTRA

THEMES FROM JAMES BOND, 007

ARR. CUSTER JAMES BOND THEME/FOR YOUR EYES ONLY/LIVE AND LET DIE/GOLDFINGER

DON JUAN, OP. 20 R. STRAUSS

INTERMISSION

PIANO CONCERTO NO.2 IN C MINOR

S. RACHMANINOFF SHENG CAI, SOLOIST

MODERATO ADAGIO SOSTENUTO ALLEGRO SCHERZANDO

**Program Note - To The Summit was composed in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Irving Symphony. Unlike many works these days, To the Summit, has no political agenda. It’s neither red nor blue. The work was inspired by books I have been reading about climbing Mount Everest, particularly, Into Thin Air by John Krakauer. The contrasting musical ideas symbolize the struggle of the climb: the descending lines - gravity and the incline of the mountain trying to pull the climber down; the rising lines - the climb itself, struggling to move up the mountain against the elements. The overall tension of the music depicts the danger of the climb where the climber is always close to disaster. I would like to thank Hector Guzman for his support in commissioning this work. He is a true friend and colleague. Mark Francis

Patrons will not be admitted into the hall while the concert is in progress. Please silence cell phones. We ask that no flash photography be used, but taking pictures is permitted. Thank you for your cooperation.

THANKS TO OUR 2022-2023 MAJOR CONCERT PARTNERS:

Roster

ISO’s “James Bond Meets Rachmaninoff” Concert

Violin I

Ordabek Duissen, Concertmaster Mevlan Mecid Saejin Seo Claudia Holm Christine Binzel Fedor Malykhin Pheonix Abbo Teresa Grynia-Wight Allie Miller Leihlani Garcia Tamez

Violin II

Yida Hu * Klaudia Cop Crissanti Garcia Tamez Seowon Lee Violeta Fane Irina Salazar Andres Bravo Canedo Alma Bulibekova

Viola Monika Nierychlo-Fryklund * Bo Landefeld Iris Messinger Steven Juarez Laurielle Warren Iva Raykova Stephen Beall Oscar Rendon

Cello Dan Totan * Shengni (Nini) Rubiano Alexander Djinov Benjamin Katzen Jason Mooney

Cello (continued) Creed Miller Ya-Chen (Jessy) Lee Kyungjin Yoo

Bass Dimitrius Samudio * Randy Inman Graham Eubanks Nestor Zayas Flute Mark Trimble * Julee Kim Walker Jennifer Wheeler (Piccolo)

Oboe Susanna Hilliard * Natasha Merchant Annie Henneke (English Horn) Clarinet Gilbert Young * Evan Wennerberg Bassoon Leslie Massenburg * Laura Bennett Cameron Kyle Larson (Contra-Bassoon)

Horns Susan Frazier * Janet Nye Ben Carroll Jason Hofmeister

Trumpet Glen Hummel * Adam Miller Steve Schiemann Trombone Joseph Muzquiz* Scott Stratton

Charles Cudney (Bass Trombone)

Tuba Nathan Frazier

Timpani Jeffrey Keene

Percussion Derrick Logozzo * William Klymus Elizabeth Harcourt Harp Megan Li

Keyboard Chloe Grein

E. John

972.831.8818

Librarian Luis Rodriguez

Personnel Manager Jim Gasewicz

Suite 120, Irving, Texas 75062

972.831.8817

Past Presidents | Chairmen

1962 N.E. (Mike) Grisham † 1963 James Gregory 1964-65 Joe Rich 1965-66 Pierce Shannon † 1966-68 Joe Vardeman † ** 1968-69 Lynn Brown † 1969-71 Neill English † ** 1971-72 Oscar Hazelbaker † 1972-73 Wre Sutherland † 1973-74 Jim Ratteree † 1974-75 Mark Gordon 1975-76 Larry Bellah 1976-78 Arnold Martin † ** 1978-79 George Edwin † 1979-80 George Pepper

1980-81 Phil Silvernail 1981-82 Edward Holmes 1982-83 Curtis Headrick 1983-84 Jim Mcdougal † 1984-85 Ron Capps 1985-86 Gene Sparks † 1986-87 Norman McMurry † 1987-88 Robert Doan 1988-89 Earlene Matkin 1989-90 James Spriggs † 1990-91 Wanda Daugherty 1991-92 Harm Schreur † 1992-93 Don Schiller 1993-94 Ron Drew 1994-96 Jennings Smith † ** 1996-97 Frank Cannon 1997-98 Milton Cardwell, MD † 1998-99 Don Oberlin, MD † 1999-00 Frank Flatley † 2000-01 Thomas Prague † 2001-02 Robert M. Curtis 2002-03 René Castilla 2003-04 Beverly Adams

Chris Wallace

2006-08 Robert Martinez

Rick Kroner

Dale Walsh

Sheng Cai, piano

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Maestro’s Circle$10,000 - $24,999

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The Arts Community Alliance

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Amati Circle$1,000 - $2,499

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Mr. and Mrs. John Bleecker Don and Mary Bongfeldt Ms. Patty Caperton

Mr. and Mrs. Monhinder Chopra Ms. Karen Berlin Cooperstein Linda and Jim Gasewicz Ellen and Perry Gilbert

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Griffith Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hopwood Drs. Basima Shaheen and Mike Itashiki Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jett Vianey and Hassan Mansoori Gay Lynne and Gordon Matter Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mercer Dr. A. Marie Morris Network for Good Ms. LaToya Redd Ms. Judyann Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Zade Rosenthal Luis and Lourdes Spinola Mr. and Mrs. Blair Stephenson David and Gina Tanner Tom Thumb Kaye and Oscar Ward

Friends of ISO - $50 - $99 Anonymous Aaron Farmer Ms. Laurie Garvie John Harpool and Richard Gordon Ms. Judith Hanson Kroger Ms. Anne Pfaff Ms. Keira Scanks Mr. and Mrs. Rob Stephens

Memorials

Patricia Buzard

By: Mrs. Denise Buzard Snipes Mrs. Jeannie Buzard Williamson

J.T. and Roberta Johnson

By: Chris E. Wallace

Honorariums

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Beach

By: Ms. Kathrine Pennington

Your Legacy

Have

Impact

Charitable bequests are an easy, simple way to make a lasting legacy to the Irving Symphony Orchestra (ISO) and its performing arts organization. The outstanding musical enrichment by our professional performers is vitally precious for generations of audiences to come. Your role in making this possible is as easy and simple as this:

•Your bequest can be a stated amount, a percentage of your estate, or a residual amount after expenses have been deducted.

•Any size bequest amount can make a difference.

•Your gift could be eligible for an estate tax charitable deduction.

•You can determine whether your bequest is unrestricted (allowing the ISO to decide how best to use the funds), or restricted (where you determine how the funds are spent).

•When considering this option, be sure to contact the services of a legal, tax, or financial advisor.

Information you will need to get started:

- Irving Symphony Association is the IRS legal name of the ISO and operates as Irving Symphony Orchestra

- The ISO is a non-profit organization classified as a 501(c) (3) educational arts organization

- The mailing address for the Irving Symphony Orchestra is: 225 E John Carpenter Fwy Suite 120 Irving, TX 75062

- The ISO’s federal tax ID number is: 75-6085542

planned gift now invests in the

of musical arts in Irving

information contact Kathrine Pennington, Executive Director at 972-831-8818 or ED@irvingsymphony.org

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