The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Presents Classics Uncorked: Winter Evening, Friday January 9, 2015 at Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

    KALAMAZOO, MI, December 13, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents the first of two concerts in its chamber series--Classics Uncorked. Classics Uncorked concerts feature an evening of chamber music favorites followed by complimentary coffee and dessert reception as well as a cash wine bar. Audiences can hear KSO musicians up close and personal in this intimate setting. These Classics Uncorked concerts are located at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and allow attendees to become better acquainted with classical music in a more social and relaxed atmosphere. Audiences are able to hear the musicians speak about the music before it is played and learn more about the pieces and composers in general. The KIA offers an intimate, entertaining atmosphere and also provides convenient parking. The KIA will also open their galleries for KSO Classics Uncorked ticket holders beginning at 6:30pm.

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra's Brass Quintet will open with a performance of Suite Impromptu for Brass Quintet, which was written by trombonist and trombone teacher Andre Lafossse, in 1940. The KSO's Brass Quintet features Scott Thornburg and Pamela Smitter on trumpet, Michael Wood on French horn, trombonist Edward "Kip" Hickman and Robert Whaley on Tuba.

The next three pieces feature the KSO's Bassoon Quartet: William Wheeler, Alan Palider, Lauren Murphy and Wendy Rose. They will be playing the lively Scherezo Humoristique Op. 12bis (originally written for piano and later arranged for bassoon) by composer Sergei Prokofiev. The quartet will then lead into Libertango. This piece was written in 1974 by tango composer Astor Piazzolla and announced his transition from Classical Tango to Tango Nuevo. The Bassoon Quartet will end their segment of the evening's performance with Michael Corrette's beautiful composition Le Phenix.

To close out the evening's performance the KSO's Burdick-Thorne String Quartet will be performing Sergei Prokofiev's emotional and melodic String Quartet No. 1. This piece was originally commissioned by the Library of Congress and first performed in 1931. The Burdick-Thorne String Quartet is the resident quartet of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, featuring Julia Neckermann and Lisa A. Williams on violin, Grace Byrd on viola and David Peshlakai on cello. These orchestra members also serve as Artists in Residence with the KSO. The quartet is named for the foundation and families that provided a generous endowment gift to help support these positions in the KSO.

CALENDAR LISTING

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents
Classics Uncorked: Winter Evening

Raymond Harvey, Music Director
KSO Brass Quintet
KSO Bassoon Quartet
Burdick-Thorne String Quartet

Sip a glass of wine and relax with friends while listening to your KSO Brass Quintet, Bassoon Quartet, and Burdick-Thorne String Quartet. Enjoy an evening of chamber favorites up close and personal, followed by a complimentary coffee and dessert reception. Wine is available for purchase and the KIA Gallery will be open to KSO Classics Uncorked ticket holders at 6:30pm.

Friday, January 9, 2015
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Tickets: $30

For tickets, visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com or call the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office at (269) 387-2300.

Visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com for up-to-date information, details and schedules. Prices, artists, dates, time and program are subject to change without notice.

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra receives major support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra also receives generous support from other local, state and national foundations, as well as private and corporate support. For more information, visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com.

About the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1921, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is Southwest Michigan's premier musical organization, providing musical enrichment to over 80,000 adults and youth per year. The third-largest professional orchestra in the state, the KSO has won numerous awards and grants, including the Met Life Award for Arts Access in Underserved Communities, the National Endowment for the Arts for its extensive education programs, and a major Ford Foundation grant to found its innovative Artist-in-Residence program.

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