The Hartt School Presents The Hartt Symphony Orchestra 10/2

The Hartt School presents the Hartt Symphony Orchestra on Friday, October 2, at 7:30 PM in Millard Auditorium, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Christopher Zimmerman leads the orchestra with works by Ravel, Tchaikovsky, and Hartt faculty member Stephen Gryc. Admission is $20, with discounts for seniors, students, and groups. Please call the University Box Office at 860.768.4228 or 800.274.8587 or visit www.hartford.edu/hartt for more information.

The group will perform Ravel's Alborado del Gracioso, conducted by Pierre Alain Chevalier. Alborado del Gracioso is a virtuoso tour de force for the orchestra. The work exhibits the mastery of Ravel's orchestral craftsmanship. The composer was at the height of his powers and the orchestration is at once opulent and subtle.

Also in the repertoire is Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, which is regarded as one of the greatest symphonies of the late romantic era and arguable his greatest, alongside his Symphony No. 6. Zimmerman describes the symphony as covering "the entire spectrum of emotions and each movement is immensely satisfying in itself and as a part of the whole. It is a highly dramatic, beautifully paced work with moments of both exhilaration and poignancy. The balance between the tragic and the uplifting is exquisite."

The Symphony also will perform Trombone Concerto, written by Hartt Composition faculty member, Stephen Gryc. Gryc's expertise in composing instrumental music has brought him commissions from a diverse group of the world's leading soloists including New York Philharmonic members Philip Smith (principal trumpet) and Joseph Alessi (principal trombone). His works for large ensembles have been performed nationally and internationally by such groups as the Minnesota Symphony, the Hartford Symphony, the United States Marine Band, and the Eastman Wind Ensemble. Gryc is the composer of the University of Hartford's alma mater and fight song.

The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions a year, performance is central to Hartt's curriculum. For more information on The Hartt School, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.

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