The Aiken Symphony Orchestra Announces 2020-2021 Season Season Subscriptions Now on Sale
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The Aiken Symphony Orchestra Announces 2020-2021 Season
Season Subscriptions Now on Sale
For more information: David Tavernier 803.374.3525, tavernier344@aol.com or ASO office
803.220.7251/admin@aikensymphonyorchestra.com
The Aiken Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Donald Portnoy are thrilled to present a series of nine concerts for
our upcoming season. The 2020-2021 season will include world-renowned guest artists as well as the return of
popular favorites, Home for the Holidays and Handel’s Messiah. The season will include four classical orchestral
performances, three chamber performances, and two Pops concerts. The orchestra’s sixth season opens October
18th with a 3:00 pm Pops concert, BRAVO BROADWAY, featuring tenor Hugh Panaro. Mr. Panaro’s impressive
Broadway resume includes extensive performances as Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera” as well as title roles in
“Les Miserables”. We are excited to welcome Mr. Panaro back after his sold-out concert with the ASO in May,
2019.
Preceding each classical orchestral concert, Dr. Portnoy presents “Illuminations,” a pre-concert talk (for start times,
please contact the Aiken Symphony Orchestra office at 803.220.7251 or see notes below). All classical concerts
take place at 7:30 p.m. at the USC Aiken Etherredge Center (471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801) with the
exception of “Amore” on February 14 at 3:00pm. Pops and chamber performances take place as noted.
Season subscriptions are available by contacting our office at 803.220.7251 or by emailing us at
admin@aikensymphonyorchestra.com. Single tickets to all concerts go on sale August 15 with the price
dependent on desired seating ($40, $45, or $55). There are three ways to purchase single tickets:
1) on our website (www.aikensymphonyorchestra.com)
2) by calling our office (803.220.7251)
3) at the USC Aiken Etherredge Center box office on the day of the concert ONLY. This option is available
beginning 1.5 hours prior to concert start time (unless sold out). If requested, will-call tickets will also be
available for pickup at the box office on the day of the concert ONLY beginning 1.5 hours prior to the
concert.
Sunday, October 18, 2020 3:00 pm
Etherredge Center
“BRAVO BROADWAY”
The Aiken Symphony Orchestra performs popular music selections from the important Broadway composers: Cole
Porter, Meredith Wilson, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Frederick Loewe, Leonard Bernstein, and Andrew Lloyd
Webber
Broadway vocalist, Hugh Panaro, back by popular demand, will be the featured soloist for selections from “Les
Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and more. Mr. Panaro began performing at the age of thirteen and studied
voice at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. He has played numerous roles on Broadway,
the Kennedy Center, and other venues. He is one of the few actors to play both roles of Raoul (1991) and Phantom
(1999) in the Broadway production of “Phantom of the Opera.” He has also played the part of Javert in “Les
Miserables.”Saturday, October 31, 2020 7:30 pm
“Lomazov Plays Tchaikovsky”
Illuminations begins at 6:30pm
Symphony No. 2, Opus 27, E-Flat Minor Sergei Rachmaninoff
INTERMISSION
Piano Concerto No. 1, Opus 23, B-Flat Minor P. I. Tchaikovsky
Marina Lomazov, Piano
A prolific composer in many forms, Rachmaninoff wrote only three symphonies. His Second Symphony, his best-
known symphony, was composed in 1906-1907, and was first heard in Moscow in 1908 with Rachmaninoff himself
conducting. The work made its American debut in 1909 by the Philadelphia Orchestra with Rachmaninoff as guest
conductor during his American tour. The work, in four movements, follows a traditional moderate/fast; very fast;
slow/easy; lively fast, sequence.
Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1, one of the world’s most beloved, was written in 1874, and, initially, received
negative criticism by a prominent, leading contemporary musician. Although composed in the space of one
month, Tchaikovsky made several revisions to the work, and asked a pianistic luminary, Hans Van Bulow, to review
and play the work at its premier in 1875. Von Bulow described the work as “so original, so noble, so powerful,”
and the world agreed. Written in the traditional concerto three movements: Allegro con molto; Andantino
semplice; Allegro vivace; Allegro con fuoco, it remains one of the world’s most important compositions for piano
and orchestra.
Ukrainian-American pianist, Ms. Marina Lomazov, in a re-engagement with the ASO, will offer her dynamic
interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Following her education at the Kiev Conservatory, the
Juilliard School, and the Eastman School of Music, Lomazov has given major debuts in New York, Boston, Chicago,
and with numerous additional, prominent symphonic orchestras throughout the country, and internationally. Her
performances have been described as “dazzling,” “a diva of the piano,” and “simply spectacular.” Those that have
heard her would most certainly agree!
Sunday, November 15, 2020 3:00 pm
amentum Theater for the Performing Arts, 126 Newberry St., SW., Aiken, 29801
“Fabulous J.S. Bach & Friends”
Concerto for Two Violins, in D Minor J.S. Bach
Dr. Donald Portnoy and Mary Lee Taylor Kinosian, Violins
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, G Major J.S. Bach
INTERMISSION
Serenade, Op. 20, E Minor Sir Edward Elgar
Simple Symphony, Op. 4 Benjamin Britten
J.S. Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, or “Double Concerto,” one of Bach’s most famous works, will
present ASO’s Maestro, Dr. Donald Portnoy, and ASO’s Concert Master, Mary Lee Taylor Kinosian, as featured
violinists in this sprightly, and energizing work of the Baroque period.
Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, G Major, the shortest of his six Brandenburgs is written in three movements:
fast/slow easy/fast. The work is filled with vigor at its liveliest moments.Sir Edward Elgar’s Serenade, Op. 20, E Minor was composed in 1889 in three short movements. As its name
suggests, the serenade is an easy, calm piece of music dedicated to a person, in this case, Edward E. Winfield, and
organ builder and amateur musician.
Benjamin Britten is a British contemporary composer, conductor, and pianist. The Simple Symphony is written in
four movements for string orchestra using a sequence of boisterous/playful/sentimental/frolicsome finale.
Saturday, December 12, 2020 7:30 pm
Etherredge Center
“Home for the Holidays”
For its annual holiday performance, the ASO will present time-honored favorites such as, “We Need a Little
Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Around the World at Christmas Time,” “The Christmas Song,” and more. Mrs.
Jane Jenkins Herlong, former Miss South Carolina, and noted author, humorist, speaker, and vocalist, who has sung
at sports events and Radio City Music Hall, will be a featured soloist. Accompanying the orchestra will be the Aiken
Choral Society, and the Aiken Civic Ballet dancers.
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 7:30 pm
St. Mary Help of Christians Church 138 Fairfield St., SE, Aiken 29801
Handel’s “Messiah”
The Aiken Symphony Orchestra, with the Aiken Symphony Festival Chorus, will perform Handel’s towering
Christmas masterpiece, a masterwork of the Baroque period. Soloists returning to the ASO will include: Diana
Amos, soprano; Rachel Calloway, mezzo-soprano; Dominic Armstrong, tenor; and Jacob Will, baritone.
Sunday, February 14, 2021 3:00 pm, Valentine’s Day
“Amore: Love Songs from World Famous Operas”
Illuminations begins at 2:00 pm
In a Valentine celebration of love, the ASO will present favorite selections from world famous operas including:
“Carmen,” “Madam Butterfly,” “La Boheme,” “Barber of Seville,” Pagliacci,” and “Tosca.” The program will include
arias, duets, and overtures from the world’s most beloved operas performed by soloists: Diana Amos, soprano;
Rachel Calloway, mezzo-soprano; Dominic Armstrong, tenor; and Jacob Will, baritone.
Sunday, March 14, 2021 3:00 pm
amentum Theater for the Performing Arts, 126 Newberry St., SW, Aiken 29801
“Magnificent Strings”
Lullaby for Strings G. Gershwin
Violin Concerto No. 3, K216, G Major W.A. Mozart
Isabel Ong, Violin
INTERMISSION
St. Paul Suite in C Major, Op. 29, No. 2 G. Holst
Symphony No. 83, G Minor (La Poule) F.J. Haydn
George Gershwin (1898-1937) composed his Lullaby for Strings in 1919 when he was studying harmony and
counterpoint. The work remained dormant for many years, and was performed in the 1960s.Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 was composed in Salzburg in 1775 and employs the traditional three movement
concerto form in fast/slow/fast. Ms. Isabel Ong is a Juilliard graduate, and a member of the New Juilliard
Ensemble.
Gustave Holst (1874-1934) was an English composer, arranger, and teacher who wrote the St. Paul Suite in 1913,
and is so named for its dedication to the St. Paul’s Girls School. It is formed in four movements: lively/fast/slightly
slow/fast.
Joseph Haydn ‘s Symphony No. 83 was the second of his six “Paris Symphonies,” and is so named “La Poule,”
meaning, The Hen. It was composed in 1785 and its nickname comes from the clucking second subject in the first
movement, which reminded listeners of the jerky back-and-forth head motion of a walking hen. The work is
composed in four movements: fast with spirit/ slow/minuette/ lively.
Thursday, April 29, 2021 7:30 pm
“Lara Plays Lalo”
Illuminations begins at 6:30pm
The Enigma: Variations on an Original Theme, Opus 36 Sir Edward Elgar
INTERMISSION
“Symphonie Espagnole” for Violin & Orchestra, Opus 21 Edouard Lalo
Lara St. John, Violin
Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) was the son of a music store proprietor in Broadheath, England, from whom he
acquired an early fascination and talent for music. Mostly self- taught, he was admittedly not an original
composer, and derived much of his music from Schumann and Wagner. However, his musical language was, at its
best, one of great beauty which cannot fail to charm. He was knighted in 1904, and received the Order of the Merit
in 1911.
In 1899 Elgar produced his work called “Enigma.” It was an immediate success, which brought him out of obscurity
to fame. The work established Elgar’s reputation as an important composer in and out of England. The work is
comprised of fourteen variations on an original theme, with each variation a musical description of a dear
acquaintance, known to Elgar. The title “Enigma” was given by Elgar because he refused to disclose who those
individuals were, however he noted their initials on the score of the work.
Edouard Lalo (1823-1892) studied at the Paris Conservatory, winning the second Prix de Rome in 1847. For many
years he earned his living as a teacher and playing in a string quartet. The “Symphonie Espagnole” was popular in
his day as Paris was awash in all things Spanish. The work is written in five movements. It has been described as
“highly melodious, picturesquely atmospheric, and gratifyingly featuring the virtuosity of the soloist.” Tchaikovsky
called it, “the greatest pleasure – it is so delightfully fresh and light, with piquant rhythms and beautifully
harmonized melodies.”
Our soloist, Lara St. John, has performed as a soloist with major symphony orchestras in the United States, South
America, Europe and Asia. She is a graduate of the renowned Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.
Saturday, May 8, 2021 7:30 pm
“Beethoven’s Mighty Choral Symphony No. 9”
Symphony No. 1, Opus 21, C Major Ludwig Van Beethoven
INTERMISSION
Symphony No. 9, Opus 125, D Minor (Choral) Ludwig Van BeethovenAiken Symphony Festival Chorus
Featuring “The Mighty Choral Symphony” soloists: Diana Amos, soprano; Rachel Calloway, mezzo-
soprano; Dominic Armstrong, tenor; Jacob Will, baritone.
Beethoven composed the Symphony No. 1 at the age of twenty-nine. It was composed 1795-1800 and contains
many of his teacher, Joseph Haydn’s influences, as well as Mozart’s. It was first performed in Vienna in 1800. It is
written in the traditional four movement symphonic form employing a mostly fast tempo.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is regarded as Beethoven’s greatest work and one of the supreme achievements in
the history of western music. It stands out as one of the most performed symphonies of the world. It was the first
example of a major composer using voices in a symphony. This is the first performance of the work by the Aiken
Symphony Orchestra, and the Aiken Symphony Festival Chorus.
The Aiken Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Donald Portnoy are thrilled to present a series of nine concerts for
our upcoming season. The 2020-2021 season will include world-renowned guest artists as well as the return of
popular favorites, Home for the Holidays and Handel’s Messiah. The season will include four classical orchestral
performances, three chamber performances, and two Pops concerts. Season subscriptions are available by
contacting our office at 803.220.7251 or by emailing us at www.aikensymphonyorchestra.com. Single tickets go
on sale August 15, range in prices depending on desired seating ($40, $45, or $55), and will be available on our
website or by calling our office. Please note single tickets are ONLY available for purchase at the USC Aiken
Etherredge Center’s box office beginning 1.5 hours hour prior to the beginning of the concert (unless sold out) and,
if requested, will be available for pickup at the box office beginning 1.5 hours prior to the concert.You can also read
