West Virginia University - News and Information Services
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra returns to WVU
Concerts kick off Nov. 5 with 'Movin' Out' star Cavanaugh
Some of the world’s top musicians, conductors and composers will perform at West Virginia University when the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra returns to Morgantown as part of the 2008-09 Canady Symphony Series.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concerts will feature “Movin’ Out” star Michael Cavanaugh singing the music of Billy Joel, world-renowned pianist Gabriela Montero performing George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and celebrated violinist Nikolaj Znaider as soloist in the “Violin Concerto” by Erich Wolfgang Korngold.
All three performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre of the Creative Arts Center.
The series is the cornerstone of a partnership between the WVU College of Creative Arts and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. It is made possible, in part, through support from title sponsors Dr. William and Loulie Canady and series sponsor BB&T.
“This partnership brings musical performances of the finest quality to Morgantown,” said Dean Bernie Schultz of the College of Creative Arts. “Each year these Pittsburgh Symphony concerts generate enormous excitement and enthusiasm with our audiences.
“I am so very pleased that WVU presents this world-class orchestra to our community, and I thank Dr. William and Loulie Canady for their continuing and wonderful support of the arts in Morgantown,” Schultz added.
This season’s performances:
- Nov. 5 – Michael Cavanaugh. Hand-picked by the piano man himself to star in Broadway’s “Movin’ Out,” Cavanaugh sings the songs of not only Billy Joel, but other “piano men” as well: Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elton John. Sing along to classic tunes from these celebrated artists, including “Great Balls of Fire,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Lucille,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Just the Way You Are,” “It’s Still Rock ’n Roll,” “Piano Man,” “New York State of Mind” and “She’s Got a Way.” This concert is led by conductor Steven Reineke.
- Jan. 24, 2009 – Gabriela Montero. Andrés Cárdenes returns Jan. 24 to conduct the orchestra in a concertfeaturing piano sensation Montero in George Gershwin’s jazz-inspired and popular “Rhapsody in Blue.” Montero also performs a few of her own improvisations on the spot, a talent that has made her concerts unique. The concert ends with Felix Mendelssohn’s moving Symphony No. 5, “Reformation.”
- March 28, 2009 – Nikolaj Znaider. The final concert on March 28 will feature violinist Znaider performing the “Violin Concerto” by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, a Viennese master who later became renowned for classic film scores of the 1940s. Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda leads the orchestra in Franz Schubert’s “Great C Major” Symphony for a finale.
The three-concert package is $97.50 for the general public or $36 for students. Call 800-743-8560 or go to www.pittsburghsymphony.org for tickets.
The Canady Symphony Series is named for William and Loulie Canady in memory of their daughter, Valerie, a Morgantown native and WVU graduate who died in the crash of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in December 1988.