MusicaNova Postpones Shostakovich's LENINGRAD Until 2016-17 Opener

MusicaNova Orchestra will postpone its April 10th performance of Dmitri Shostakovich's grand Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad" until the opening of its 2016-17 season in October 2016, replacing it in the current season with a free concert featuring the world premiere of two vocal works. Production issues with the Shostakovich work necessitate the change.

"We are committed to performing Shostakovich Seven and want to make sure that it be done under the best possible circumstances for everyone involved," said Music Director Warren Cohen. "We will make the performance the grand and important occasion it deserves to be."

All the other events in the orchestra's 2015-16 season calendar, including its Young Artists, Collaborative, and Salon Concert series, as well as its educational outreach activities, will continue as planned. The MusicaNova Orchestra 2016-17 season programs and dates will be announced soon. The company recently completed a successful matching gift fundraising drive focused on its three January concerts.

In place of the postponed concert, MusicaNova is adding a free collaborative concert, "The Sacred and the Sardonic," on the same April 10 date at 3 pm. It will be performed at the Scottsdale Presbyterian Church and feature the world premieres of two 21st Century vocal works, "Five Apparitions of the Virgin Mary" by former ASU composer Evan C. Paul, for tenor, baritone, viola, and piano, and "No Exit, A Comic Opera," a modern take on 18th Century comic opera for four singers and piano by Warren Cohen.

MusicaNova stands by its mission to play the finest new and neglected symphonic music, and present the finest young talent across all its concerts. "The Valley of the Sun has plenty of professional and community orchestras playing 'classical greatest hits,' movie music, and backing up pop music acts," said Board President Bob Altizer. "We are the only music organization in the state that does what we do, and we're sticking to our mission. MusicaNova plays the greatest music you've never heard - yet."

Upcoming MusicaNova events in February include:

Young Artists Concert: Keenan Winkler, cello and Abbie Jin, piano, Saturday February 20 at 4 PM, at Arizona Piano Company, 4134 East Wood Street, Phoenix. General admission $15, seniors and students $10.

Collaborative Concert: The MusicaNova Chamber Orchestra,featuring soloists Fàbio Bartoloni, guitar, and Viveca Lawrie, trumpet, on Sunday February 21 at 3 PM, at Scottsdale Presbyterian Church at Hayden and Osborn Roads. Free admission, donations are accepted.

Tickets for all concerts are available at the MusicaNova website at www.musicanovaaz.com and at the door.

The MusicaNova Orchestra plays great new and neglected classical music and presents the finest emerging talent. Founded in 2003 and led by Music director Warren Cohen, MusicaNova challenges itself with new works, neglected works that should be heard, and new interpretations of the classics. Its Composition Fellows Program and Young Artists Concerts Series give voice to extraordinarily talented young musicians, and the Educational Outreach and Collaboration Program partners with area schools to bring the joy of playing and hearing great music to many who might not otherwise have the opportunity.