Press Releases

February, 12 2009 - Fifth Masterworks to feature something both old and new

The fifth Masterworks concert of the 2008-09 season features the QCSO premiere of Schumann's Symphony No. 2. "Not only do I like to introduce our audiences to new pieces but I also like peeking into the corners of the organization's history," explained Music Director Mark Russell Smith. "For whatever reason the Second Symphony of Robert Schumann, the great German romantic composer, has never been played by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. So this, strangely enough, will be the premiere of a piece that was written in the 1860s." This fifth Masterworks concert will also feature cellist Joshua Roman performing Ernest Bloch's Schelomo, a rhapsody inspired by the book of Ecclesiastes, and Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme. Opening the concert will be Steve Heitzig's Wounded Fields, a civil war memorial piece originally composed for the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. These concerts will be performed on March 7 and 8, and sponsored by Trissel Graham & Toole. Saturday evening's concert will be held at the Adler Theatre in Davenport at 8 p.m. and followed on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Centennial Hall in Rock Island.
One person out of every eight in America does not know from where their next meal will come, and the QCSO and 218 other orchestras are doing something about it. Inspired by the soon-to-be-released film, The Soloist, the orchestras are partnering with River Bend Foodbank to make a difference. At the QCSO's most recent Masterworks concert, the audience was asked to bring items back with them on March 7 and 8. They were even provided with reusable grocery bags to help with the carrying. "We're very excited about this opportunity to help those in our own community, as well as participate in what has become a truly national event," said Director of Marketing Jared Johnson.

On Thursday night, before each Masterworks concert, Quad Citians are regularly invited to go "inside the music" with conductor Mark Russell Smith at the Figge Art Museum. But Thursday, March 5, will delve a little more deeply into the music with a free performance by Joshua Roman at the River Music Experience, across the street from the Figge, at 5 p.m. This recital by Roman is sure to reflect the performer's wildly diverse repertoire, ranging from the popular to the classical. Attendees are then invited to enjoy wine and cheese at the Figge Art Museum, while discusssing the upcoming concerts with Music Director Mark Russell Smith. Inside the Music will begin a little later than usual, with food served at 6 p.m. and the presentation beginning at 6:30. Expert and novice alike are sure to enjoy this casual musical conversation. Thanks to generous sponsorship from U.S. Bank, this event is free to the public.

Music Director Mark Russell Smith and cellist Joshua Roman will also be available at Concert Conversations, hosted by Kai Swanson an hour before each of the weekend's concerts. At Concert Conversations, audience members will be given a quick tour of highlights from the program they are about to experience. This look into the background of the concert's repertoire, sponsored by Rich James of Wachovia Securities, is in its tenth year and has become an audience favorite.

Guest soloist Joshua Roman gave his first solo recital at the age of ten, and since has performed a vast number of concerts and solo recitals, receiving acclaim for his strong command and wildly varied repertoire. As a concert soloist, he has performed with the Seattle Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Wyoming Symphony. Dubbed a "classical rock star" by the press, Joshua regularly performs in clubs around the Seattle region, where the repertoire is as likely to include Radio Head as it is J.S. Bach.

Tickets for these concerts start at $10 and can be purchased in person at the QCSO Box Office, 327 Brady Street in Davenport, by phone at 800.982.2787 or online at www.QCSymphony.com.


	Press Release February, 12 2009 - Fifth Masterworks to feature something both old and new The fifth Masterworks concert of the 2008-09 season features the QCSO premiere of Schumann's Symphony No. 2. "Not only do I like to introduce our audiences to new pieces but I also like peeking into the corners of the organization's history," explained Music Director Mark Russell Smith. "For whatever reason the Second Symphony of Robert Schumann, the great German romantic composer, has never been played by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. So this, strangely enough, will be the premiere of a piece that was written in the 1860s." This fifth Masterworks concert will also feature cellist Joshua Roman performing Ernest Bloch's Schelomo, a rhapsody inspired by the book of Ecclesiastes, and Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme. Opening the concert will be Steve Heitzig's Wounded Fields, a civil war memorial piece originally composed for the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. These concerts will be performed on March 7 and 8, and sponsored by Trissel Graham & Toole. Saturday evening's concert will be held at the Adler Theatre in Davenport at 8 p.m. and followed on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Centennial Hall in Rock Island. One person out of every eight in America does not know from where their next meal will come, and the QCSO and 218 other orchestras are doing something about it. Inspired by the soon-to-be-released film, The Soloist, the orchestras are partnering with River Bend Foodbank to make a difference. At the QCSO's most recent Masterworks concert, the audience was asked to bring items back with them on March 7 and 8. They were even provided with reusable grocery bags to help with the carrying. "We're very excited about this opportunity to help those in our own community, as well as participate in what has become a truly national event," said Director of Marketing Jared Johnson. On Thursday night, before each Masterworks concert, Quad Citians are regularly invited to go "inside the music" with conductor Mark Russell Smith at the Figge Art Museum. But Thursday, March 5, will delve a little more deeply into the music with a free performance by Joshua Roman at the River Music Experience, across the street from the Figge, at 5 p.m. This recital by Roman is sure to reflect the performer's wildly diverse repertoire, ranging from the popular to the classical. Attendees are then invited to enjoy wine and cheese at the Figge Art Museum, while discusssing the upcoming concerts with Music Director Mark Russell Smith. Inside the Music will begin a little later than usual, with food served at 6 p.m. and the presentation beginning at 6:30. Expert and novice alike are sure to enjoy this casual musical conversation. Thanks to generous sponsorship from U.S. Bank, this event is free to the public. Music Director Mark Russell Smith and cellist Joshua Roman will also be available at Concert Conversations, hosted by Kai Swanson an hour before each of the weekend's concerts. At Concert Conversations, audience members will be given a quick tour of highlights from the program they are about to experience. This look into the background of the concert's repertoire, sponsored by Rich James of Wachovia Securities, is in its tenth year and has become an audience favorite. Guest soloist Joshua Roman gave his first solo recital at the age of ten, and since has performed a vast number of concerts and solo recitals, receiving acclaim for his strong command and wildly varied repertoire. As a concert soloist, he has performed with the Seattle Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Wyoming Symphony. Dubbed a "classical rock star" by the press, Joshua regularly performs in clubs around the Seattle region, where the repertoire is as likely to include Radio Head as it is J.S. Bach. Tickets for these concerts start at $10 and can be purchased in person at the QCSO Box Office, 327 Brady Street in Davenport, by phone at 800.982.2787 or online at www.QCSymphony.com.