Anniversaries & Celebrations

Description

On October 13 and 14, Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra will commence its 70^th season with concerts commemorating its own legacy as well as notable historic anniversaries. The concerts will begin with a burst of energy and enthusiasm, honoring the 150^th anniversary of the composer Gioachino Rossini’s death in a performance of the exuberant “Overture to Barber of Seville.”   Its familiarity to non-concert-goers evolved through popular culture outlets: it appeared in a Bugs Bunny cartoon, in the Beatles film, Help, and in an episode of the NBC sitcom, Seinfeld. 
In celebration of 70 years of music-making, CWSO commissioned Stacey Berk, principal oboist, to compose a brand new piece to honor the musicians, staff and central Wisconsin community that have supported the orchestra through the years. The piece, Reflections, is colorful and contemplative, alluding to earlier master works while showcasing modern instrumentation and compositional ideas.  Stacey describes her work as “a celebration of CWSO and reflecting back on the 70 years that they have played all these great classic pieces and yet also bring my piece into the next 70 years in which I can utilize some more contemporary compositional techniques. Reflecting backward to look ahead to the future.” Berk holds the title of Professor of Oboe and Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point, where she was awarded the 2009 University Excellence in Teaching Award. 
After this uplifting work, CWSO takes the listener through the ecstasy and turmoil of “Romeo and Juliet” in observance of the 125^th anniversary of Tchaikovsky’s death.  Tchaikovsky brought Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy to life evoking fiery fight scenes and a haunting love theme.
The concert concludes with Leonard Bernstein’s “Symphonic Sketches” from West Side Story to celebrate the centennial of his birth. West Side Story is an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet set in 1950’s working class New York. In 1961, Bernstein transplanted the music of West Side Story into a purely orchestral setting called Symphonic Dances which allowed its brilliant score to serve as a concert work.  Bernstein’s score is energetic, colored with Latin idioms, cool jazz, and tender lyricism.
CWSO will be holding a sealed envelope auction in the lobby of the theater during the concert weekend.  Bidding will take place before the concert, during intermission, and after the concert.  Please visit the lobby to bid on an array of items including artwork, jewelry, concert tickets and more.
The concerts will take place in Sentry Theater, 1800 North Point Avenue, Stevens Point. Saturday’s performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s is at 4:00 p.m.  CWSO would like to thank Sentry Insurance for sponsoring these concerts.
Concert tickets are available online at cwso.org/tickets, the CWSO office, located in the Smith Scarabocchio Art Museum, 800 Main Street, or at the door.  Tickets may also be purchased by calling the CWSO office: 715-345-7726.
The CWSO, whose mission is to “enrich, engage, and educate through the power and performance of live music,” is affiliated with the College of Fine Art and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the City of Stevens Point.  The CWSO season is sponsored in part by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Wisconsin Public Radio and WSAW are proud to be this season’s media sponsors. 
For more information about the CWSO, call 715-345-7726 or visit cwso.org.