The Valley Symphony Orchestra announces the final digital concert of its online season premiering March 19. "Springtime Schumann" will premiere live on YouTube at 7 p.m. on the 19th and there will be an encore broadcast on KRGV-Ch. 5 on March 21 at 11 a.m. “Springtime Schumann” is the last in a series of digital concerts that began in Fall 2020, the first season of its kind for the Symphony that arose as a response to Covid-19 public health restrictions.
"Springtime Schumann" will feature the VSO piano quintet performing Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat major. The piece, featuring two violins, viola, cello, and piano is performed in four movements (or sections) and is a musician favorite because of its wide range of moods and sound colors. The performing ensemble consists of VSO Concertmaster Geoffrey Wong (first violin), Maria Fernanda Gonzalez (second violin, principal), Young Sin Choi (viola, asst. principal), Patrick Hopkins (cello, asst. principal), and Konrad Binienda (piano, guest performer). The concert was recorded at the McAllen Performing Arts Center with strict adherence to public health guidelines.
Guest pianist Konrad Binienda joined the Symphony for this recording, traveling from Akron, Ohio to perform. Since his debut with The Cleveland Orchestra in 2007, Binienda has performed in recital and with orchestras throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, winning acclaim for his dynamic and expert musical performances. He has also performed with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and the Akron Symphony Orchestra and is the winner of the 25th International Chopin Competition sponsored by the Fryderyk Chopin Society of Texas.
"These musicians give a truly masterful performance," said Maestro Peter Dabrowski, music director of the Valley Symphony Orchestra. "Not only is this piano quintet a challenging piece, it explores a wide range of emotions from grief, to adventure, to love and longing. When these musicians perform it, you hear all of these emotions and more."
"In these times, every opportunity we have to deliver music is a privilege," said Katy Coy, VSO executive director. "The Rio Grande Valley has been through such a difficult year, and we are all craving connection and an outlet. We hope this final concert can provide that for folks, and we thank our sponsors and donors for making this special event possible."
More information about the concert is available at valleyorchestra.org, and visitors can also sign up there for the Symphony's e-newsletter. Major season sponsors include Mrs. Wanda Boush, Drs. Tawhid and Mihaela Shuaib, Mrs. Trudie Elmore Abbott, Kenneth and Carolyn Landrum, Clark Chevrolet, Clark-Knapp Honda, and Frost Bank. To learn more, join the VSO’s mailing list at valleyorchestra.org or call the VSO at (956) 661-1615.
