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Concerts at Tuckerman Hall

Contact: Paul Levenson 508-754-1234 or Bobbie Chase 508-757-2881 (press only)

August 22, 2007

The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra announces two special admission-free concerts at Tuckerman Hall this fall to mark the organization's 32nd year. On Saturday, October 6 at 8:00 PM, the Orchestra celebrates the return following full restoration of its 1902 Model "C" Steinway concert grand piano in a gala concert featuring seven of the area's most acclaimed pianists. Malcolm Halliday, Kallin Johnson, Sima Kustanovich, Dick Odgren, Olga Rogach, Myron Romanul, and Ian Watson will perform on the restored Steinway along with the Orchestra's newly acquired Steinway Model "B" in a concert entitled "Duo Piano Gala." Works for two pianos on the program include Mozart's Sonata in D, K. 448, Shostakovich's Concertino, Op. 94, Milhaud's Scaramouche, Op. 165, and Brubeck's Points on Jazz. Works for six pianists (three players at each keyboard) include an arrangement of Rossini's Tancredi Overture and Fantasy on Themes from Carmen, arranged by Wilberg. A coffee and dessert reception follows the concert. "This concert allows Tuckerman Hall to showcase two magnificent pianos performed by the area's leading keyboard artists, said Paul Levenson, Executive Director of the Orchestra. "The totally restored 1902 vintage Steinway has been at the factory for nine months and looks and sounds new." "The program is designed to show the huge range of the keyboard, from Mozart to Jazz," noted Levenson. "It is also a way for the Orchestra to express appreciation to the community for helping to fund the acquisition and restoration of the two Steinways," he said.

Each of the pianists chosen to participate in this concert has a distinguished musical background. Malcolm Halliday holds degrees in piano performance from Oberlin Conservatory (B.A.) and Boston University (M.Mus.), and is Minister of Music at First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury. He is also Artistic Director and Conductor of the Master Singers of Worcester and is on the music faculty at Clark University.

Kallin Johnson is Director of Music at Notre Dame Academy and has been a member of the Clark University faculty since 1998. A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Mr. Johnson is the principal pianist of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra and is a past recipient of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette's Visions 2000 Cultural Enrichment Award.

Sima Kustanovich is also a past recipient of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette's Visions 2000 Cultural Enrichment Award, and is on the faculties of Clark University and the Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts. Holder of a Master's in Music from the St. Petersburg Conservatory, she has been associated with the Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater as well as the Courchevel Chamber Music Festival in France and Toronto's Royal Conservatory Chamber Music Series.

Dick Odgren is also on the faculty at Clark University and is widely known as one of Worcester's premiere jazz musicians, having had a 22-year association with Worcester Jazz legend Emil Haddad. On the faculty at the Berklee College of Music from 1976 to 1993, Mr. Odgren has recorded numerous CDs and has been a member of the Mike Metheny Quartet.

Olga Rogach holds a Master's of Music degree in piano performance from the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Music Director of the First Parish Church of Northboro, she is also a piano instructor at WPI, teaches privately in the Worcester area, and is piano accompanist for the Master Singers of Worcester and Worcester Opera Works.

Pianist Myron Romanul made his debut as a piano soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the age of 11. As the original pianist of the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble, he is featured on the Grammy Award-winning Angel-EMI recording Scott Joplin: The Red Back Book. Mr. Romanul was touring pianist with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra for many years.

Ian Watson is a world-renowned keyboard artist, having performed with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the English Baroque Soloists, among others. A graduate of, and holder of a Recital Diploma from, the Royal Academy of Music in London, Mr. Watson is the founder and director of the St. Paul's Music Festival, as well as serving as Artistic Director of the Arcadia Players and Principal Guest Conductor of Karlstad Baroque in Sweden. He is featured on numerous film soundtracks including Amadeus, Mr. Holland's Opus and Restoration.

The Duo Piano Gala concert is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, the Worcester Cultural Commission, a local agency receiving support from theMassachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and M. Steinert & Sons Pianos of Worcester. While there is no admission charge for this event, freewill donations will be accepted at the door. For more information, please call (508) 754-1234 or visit www.tuckermanhall.org.

On Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 3:00 PM, members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra will perform in an admission-free community chamber concert at Tuckerman Hall. A coffee and dessert reception will follow the concert. Reservation of free tickets for this concert may be made by calling (617) 638-9300 or e-mailing your request to education@bso.org.