FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2008

MEDIA CONTACT

Carrie Marrett

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Office: 812.425.5050

rising star TURNS UP the heat during Philharmonic’s musical tour of Scandinavia

Evansville, Indiana –           The Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra proudly presents “Majestic Splendor: Music of Scandinavia” featuring guest pianist Andrew von Oeyen on Saturday, March 15 at 8:00 p.m. at the Victory Theatre.  Mr. von Oeyen recently finished a successful tour in Japan and the Philharmonic will bring his captivating talents to the Tri-State for a one-night-only performance on March 15.  

Mr. von Oeyen’s performances have been broadcast on National Public Radio and he has been a featured guest on NPR’s “Performance Today.”  He made his first soloist debut at age 10 and at age 17 debuted with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  Mr. von Oeyen is a recent graduate of The Juilliard School.  He was the 1999 recipient of the prestigious Gilmore Young Artist Award and won First Prize in the Lení Fé Bland Foundation National Competition in 2001.  The Los Angeles Times calls von Oeyen’s technique “extravagantly thorough and effortless” and critics claim he has “a disarming elegance and charisma that allows him to communicate with the greatest of ease."   According to the Chicago Sun Times, “he plays with a blend of crystalline fire and heartfelt poetry”- appropriate for the Philharmonic’s “…And the Heat Goes On” 2007-2008 season.

Prior to the Philharmonic’s concert, audience members are invited to join Maestro Alfred Savia and Mr. von Oeyen at 7:00 p.m. for “Concert Conversations” – an informal discussion on the evening’s program.    This is a chance for concert goers to learn more about the nuances of the music.  Also, artwork from the Philharmonic’s 2008 Symphony of Color Art Contest will be displayed throughout the lobbies.  Tri-State students from grades 1-5 were challenged to create visual interpretations of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade”.  This is a wonderful opportunity to see how the visual and musical art forms work together in the eyes of our young people.

Then, the concert will become a musical journey of Scandinavia – making stops in Sweden, Norway and Finland.  The program, bursting with familiar melodies, begins with Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén’s Midsummer Vigil, Swedish Rhapsody No. 1.  During a brief stage change, the Philharmonic will recognize the winners of its 2008 Symphony of Color Art Contest.  Students will be recognized on stage for their winning visual interpretations of music.  Then, Mr. von Oeyen takes the stage for Edvard Grieg’s powerful Piano Concerto, the only piano concerto the Norwegian composer ever completed.  Following intermission, the program will conclude with the lush melodies of Symphony No. 2 by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

Tickets for “Majestic Splendor: Music of Scandinavia” start at $15.  Student price is $10 at the door one hour before the concert.  College student ID is required.  For tickets, call the Philharmonic Box Office at (812) 425 – 5050 or order online at ww.evansvillephilharmonic.org.

“Majestic Splendor: Music of Scandinavia” is sponsored by the Evansville Courier & Press. Guest artist Andrew von Oeyen’s appearance is made possible by D-Patrick Automotive Dealerships. Media sponsor of the Philharmonic’s “…And the Heat Goes On” 2007-2008 season is 14 WFIE.

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