Wheeling Symphony Orchestra
Season Calendar 2016-2017
THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS: STAR WARS & MORE!
Thursday, October 20, 2016 – 7:30pm
André Raphel, conductor
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra
Contemporary American classical composer, John Williams has written some of the most popular music of the modern era. His themes echo in our collective consciousness and remind us of the powerful role music plays in the movies. From the Jedi and Storm Trooper themes of STAR WARS, to the magic of HARRY POTTER, and the action of unlikely hero INDIANA JONES, John Williams’ music will delight and entertain the entire family. Join Maestro André Raphel and your very own Wheeling Symphony Orchestra for this exciting concert! Fun for the Whole Family, Costumes Encouraged! TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 29!
AN ALL AMERICAN EVENING!
Thursday, November 10, 2016 – 7:30pm
André Raphel, conductor
Svet Stoyanov, percussion
Program:
Copland: Appalachian Spring
Higdon: Percussion Concerto
Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)
From the New World! Quintessential American composer Aaron Copland’s elegant awakening of an Appalachian Spring and the famous variations on a simple, Shaker tune open this wonderful program. The range and complexity of percussion instruments will amaze as guest artist, Svet Stoyanov joins the WSO to perform Jennifer Higdon’s Percussion Concerto. The concert concludes with Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) one of the most popular symphonic works in the repertoire. Dvorak was inspired by the music of Native Americans and African American spirituals. Astronaut Neil Armstrong took a recording of this symphony on the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, the first landing on the moon! TICKETS ON SALE SEPTEMBER 26!
SPECIAL EVENT: Main Street Bank presents SYMPHONY ON ICE at WesBanco Arena
Tuesday, December 6, 2016 – 7:00pm
André Raphel, conductor
A community holiday favorite, Symphony On Ice features Olympic skaters, the Wheeling & Pittsburgh Skate Clubs and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. Local middle and high school choirs join the orchestra performing everyone’s holiday favorites. An evening that will put the entire family in the holiday spirit! TICKETS ON SALE OCTOBER 24!
VIDEO GAMES LIVE
Friday, February 10, 2017 – 7:30pm
Tommy Tallarico, creator and host
An incredible concert event produced by the video gaming industry! Video Games Live features music from the most popular video games of all time. Designed to acknowledge the culture and art that video games have become, the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra performs with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and interactive segments to create a unique entertainment experience! Bridging generations and exposing music lovers and fans to the symphonic orchestral experience, Video Games Live provides a new and different experience that the whole family — non-gamers included — will absolutely love! TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 6!
INSPIRED BY DANCE
Friday, March 10, 2017 – 7:30pm
André Raphel, conductor
Christopher O’Riley, piano
Program:
Stravinsky: Scherzo a la Russe
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2
Ravel: La Valse
Ravel: Bolero
This exhilarating concert takes its inspiration from dance, opening with the rhythmic Scherzo a la Russe by Stravinsky. Returning guest artist and “From the Top” radio host Christopher O’Riley performs one of Rachmaninoff’s most enduringly popular pieces, Piano Concerto No. 2; with its big opening chords and beautiful melodic line, the piano will truly dance with the orchestra in this spectacular romantic piece. The performance concludes with two ballet works by Ravel: La Valse and the perennial favorite Bolero, which Ravel viewed as an experiment in repetition, rhythm, crescendo and orchestration. TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 23!
A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
Thursday, April 13, 2017 – 7:30pm
André Raphel, conductor
Classical Mystery Tour
With more than 30 timeless Beatles tunes sung, played, and performed exactly as they were written, Classical Mystery Tour is more than just a rock concert! Come hear Penny Lane with a live trumpet section; experience the beauty of Yesterday with an acoustic guitar and string quartet; enjoy the rock/classical blend on the hard edged I Am the Walrus. From early Beatles music through the solo years, Classical Mystery Tour is the best of the Beatles like you’ve never heard them: totally live…a concert bridging generations of all music lovers! TICKETS ON SALE FEBRUARY 27!
ORCHESTRAL COLORS & SOUNDS
Friday, May 12, 2017 – 7:30pm
André Raphel, conductor
Julia Bullock, soprano
Program:
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks
Barber: Knoxville:: Summer of 1915
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (The Titan)
Rising star soprano Julia Bullock joins the WSO for her debut performance singing Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Commissioned and premiered by Wheeling native and international opera star Eleanor Steber, this evocative work is a simple, dreamlike depiction of an evening in the American South. Our concert opens with Strauss’ tone poem, a musical portrayal of German folk hero Till Eulenspiegel’s trickery; we conclude with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 (The Titan) a stupendous symphonic achievement! TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 27!
