Symphony Orchestra

2024-25 Season The University at Albany Department of Music and Theatre presents

The University Symphony Orchestra Christopher David Neubert, conductor

Music by George Gershwin—Rhapsody in Blue With piano soloist David Brocci, UAlbany Class of 2025 STAR WARS Suite for Orchestra by John Williams With Special Guests—UA Chamber Music Ensembles Hilary Cumming, Director Music by Beethoven, Faure, Arthur Foote, Lukas Foss, and Felix Mendelssohn

Sunday, May 4th, 2025, at 3 PM Main Theatre Advance Tickets: $9 general public/$5 seniors, & UAlbany faculty-staff/$3 students Day of Show Tickets: $14 general public/$10 seniors, & UAlbany faculty-staff/$8 students

Info:(518)442-3995 WWW.ALBANY.EDU/PAC

Department of Music and Theatre University at Albany presents:

UAlbany Symphony Orchestra Christopher David Neubert, conductor with special guests

UAlbany Chamber Music Ensembles Hilary Cumming, program director

Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 3pm

Main Theatre UAlbany Performing Arts Center

Program UAlbany Chamber Music Ensembles Hilary Cumming, program director Ludwig van Beethoven……………………………...Trio in Eb 1770-1827

I.

Allegro

Irem Erogan, piano Melissa Rosas, violin Abigail Tsuji, cello

Gabriel Faure, Op. 50………………………………..Pavane 1845-1924

Andante molto moderato Magdalena Rosas, flute Daniela Lucas, flute Alyssa Cossentino, clarinet

Arthur Foote, Op. 74 ……………………..Canzonetta No.1 1853-1937

Allegro Grazioso

Lukas Foss……………………………..Composer’s Holiday 1922-2009

Allegro Jimin Jang, piano Hilary Walther Cumming, violin

Felix Mendelssohn, Op. 66…………………Trio in C minor Allegro energico e con fuoco Charlotte Parque, piano Olivia Arsenicos, violin Isaac Chong, cello

- Pause UAlbany Symphony Orchestra Christopher David Neubert, conductor George Gershwin………………...Rhapsody in Blue (1924) 1898-1937

Scored by Ferde Grofe, 1942

David Brocci – Class of 2025, piano

John Williams…………………………. STAR WARS (1977) b. 1932

Original Suite For Orchestra Princess Leia’s Theme The Imperial March – Darth Vader’s Theme Yoda’s Theme Throne Room & End Title Program Notes

Rhapsody in Blue is a 1924 musical composition for solo piano and jazz band by George Gershwin. Commissioned by bandleader Paul Whiteman, the work combines elements of classical music with jazzinfluenced effects and premiered in a concert titled "An Experiment in Modern Music" on February 12, 1924, in Aeolian Hall, New York City. Whiteman's band performed the rhapsody with Gershwin playing the piano. Whiteman's arranger Ferde Grofé orchestrated the rhapsody several times, including

the 1924 original scoring, the 1926 pit orchestra scoring, and the 1942 symphonic scoring.

The rhapsody is one of Gershwin's most recognizable creations and a key composition that defined the Jazz Age. Gershwin's piece inaugurated a new era in America's musical history, established his reputation as an eminent composer and became one of the most popular of all concert works. In the American Heritage magazine, Frederic D. Schwarz posits that the famous opening clarinet glissando has become as instantly recognizable to concert audiences as the opening of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Williams: Star Wars Suite John Williams is one of the most respected and successful composers for cinema of all time, with an incredible 49 Oscar nominations to date, among them five wins. Born in Long Island, New York in 1932, John Towner Williams was exposed to music early by his father who was a jazz drummer and percussionist for CBS radio and the Raymond Scott Quintet. In 1952 he was drafted into the US Air Force where he spent the next two years conducting and arranging music for Air Force bands. He subsequently studied piano at Julliard in New York, playing in jazz clubs

to pay his way. After moving to Los Angeles, he started playing the piano for film studios; here, his long and fruitful relationship with the cinema began.

After receiving his first Oscar for adapting the music for Fiddler On the Roof (1971), he met Steven Spielberg in 1974, their relationship producing some of the most memorable film music of all time – Jaws (the ominous twonote motif still striking terror into swimmers everywhere); ET: the extra terrestrial; Schindler’s List; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; and the Indiana Jones films.

Star Wars needs little introduction; it became a movie phenomenon and made George Lucas a multi-millionaire.

With a cast of memorable characters, human and otherwise, the best villain to grace the screen in years and unbelievable effects (and music) to boot, Star Wars was a hit. The first film, subtitled Episode IV: A New Hope, went on to spawn two classic sequels in 1980 and 1983, then, in 1999, the first of three ‘Prequels’. In 2015 we were treated to the first of a new trilogy; set some thirty-two years after Return of the Jedi.

When Lucas was getting the first film ready for production, the question of music naturally came up. The director turned to his good friend Steven Spielberg who suggested he speak to ‘Johnny’ Williams. The composer took on the project fresh from an Oscar-win for Jaws and went on to compose another Academy Award-winning score. The music, created in what was an old-fashioned Hollywood style for full symphony orchestra, elevated the film to an almost operatic level. His beguiling theme for the brave and strong-willed Princess Leia Organa is one of his very best and reappears in the concert version of the Main Theme, which showcases Luke Skywalker’s triumphant theme – one of the most famous melodies yet composed.

UAlbany Symphony Orchestra Christopher David Neubert, Conductor Violins Bryan Fonder Concertmaster Nicole Maher Leah Magee Amelia Desmarais Logan Stone Allison Ellis Adrian Ramos Kyde Power Amanda Sue Principal Hope Savercool Sophia Minuto Madelyn Knopfke Katy Christman Olivia Arsenicos Lin Song Cristina Schiaffo Paige Dougher Liz Gingrich Isabelle Savage Abigail Johnson Marcella Reiter Melissa Yusaitis Ajani Johnson Luke Santarpia Violas Dara Ribis Principal Kayla Wardlaw Melissa Rosas Samantha Dalton Catherine Rafferty Sam McElroy Thaddeus Conner Brenda Padilla De Jesus Riley Bowman Jaime Kendrick

Cellos Michael Krachenfels Principal Connor Gordon Alisa Bielert Dan LaPlante Claire Choi Renee La Londe Abigail Tsuji Seth Chaiken Ryosuke Takahashi Double Basses Erik Laurin Principal Joey Aragones Connor Hoolan Ayva Dell Chamille Malcolm Piccolo Maria Mucaria Flutes Melynda Matheke Isabella Bulnes Brianna Boyce Magdalena Ramos

Bassoons Laura Canham-Lunde Jennifer Fullam French Horns Shannon Broda Jonah Hauf Erica DeNicola Sarah Howard Trumpets John Fatuzzo Ethan Chen Sean Cummins Vincent Amodeo Trombones Caleb Clapper Jessica Watson Matthew Scheidt Tuba Jacob Reiter Tympani Jonathan Wolter

Oboe Tyler Leicht Ian Cohen

Percussion Yeajee Chon Andre Speller Keziah Jobs Rachel Grudus

English Horn Ian Cohen

Harp Karlinda Caldicott

Clarinets James Affatigato Emily Lucy

Piano Duncan Cumming

Bass Clarinet Ryan O’Connell

Orchestra Librarian and Management Hope Savercool Assistant Jonathan Wolter

WELCOME!

Music Program (518) 442-4187 www.albany.edu/musicandtheatre

Performing Arts Center (518) 442-3995 www.albany.edu/pac

Theatre Program (518) 442-4200 www.albany.edu/musicandtheatre

HOUSE POLICIES Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the management and its staff. .

The use of photographic or recording devices of any kind during this performance is strictly prohibited. .

There is no food or drink allowed in the theatres, nor is smoking allowed in UAlbany buildings. .

To avoid disrupting the performance, kindly disable any noise making electronic devices you may have with you. .

Please take time to note the location of the fire exits nearest to you. In the event of an emergency, an announcement will be made from the stage. Please proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion.

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The UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s six theatres, three lounges and other spaces are available for rental.

PAC@albany.edu

(518) 442-3995

www.albany.edu/pac