Thank you for another experience of "art and beauty." Truth is, I did not want the Bach to end! I hope you will perform more Bach in the near future. (When I was in Eisenach, some years ago, I did see his birthplace, a yellow house, but did not have time to go in.)
I soon was enmeshed in the gorgeous vitality of the Bruch violin concerto with the amazing violin soloist Ms. Manoukian! -- Alyce Ritti
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
From Julian Yu
Dear Douglas,
Today I received the CD of your orchestra's US premiere of my Pictures -- thank you very much! It was a wonderful performance, very lively and expressive under your direction -- I felt as if I were actually there in the concert. Obviously the members of the orchestra enjoyed playing it, and as a composer I can tell you that there is nothing better than to hear a good performance of one's work!
It is interesting that every performance sounds different. That is why live music is so attractive. Please pass on my thanks to the the orchestra members. I have made a new version of the last movement, "The Great Gate" - the score will be available soon from Zen-On.
Thank you once again for all your efforts (not the least of which were to obtain the score in the first place!!)
With very best wishes, Julian
Today I received the CD of your orchestra's US premiere of my Pictures -- thank you very much! It was a wonderful performance, very lively and expressive under your direction -- I felt as if I were actually there in the concert. Obviously the members of the orchestra enjoyed playing it, and as a composer I can tell you that there is nothing better than to hear a good performance of one's work!
It is interesting that every performance sounds different. That is why live music is so attractive. Please pass on my thanks to the the orchestra members. I have made a new version of the last movement, "The Great Gate" - the score will be available soon from Zen-On.
Thank you once again for all your efforts (not the least of which were to obtain the score in the first place!!)
With very best wishes, Julian
Friday, October 26, 2007
October 21, 2007 concert Wagner & Julian Yu
Here's a collection of comments on our performance:
Dear Editor: we would like to comment on...A musical tour de forceThere are those who believe that serious, a.k.a. classical, music is no longer relevant and that symphonic orchestras will become extinct. Well, they would reconsider had they attended the opening concert of the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra this 21st of October. This gem of an orchestra coupled with the fine acoustics of Esber Hall at Penn State provided an afternoon of hauntingly, romantic yet harmonically complex works of Wagner and finished with a premier performance of an old chestnut, Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" transfigured by the Julian Yu transcription fusing Eastern and Western traditions. The Wagner actually brought tears (to a grown man) by the sonorous orchestral presentation and the beautiful singing by the renowned dramatic soprano, Jennifer Trost. And in stark contrast, the Yu transcription just shimmered like a virtual laser light show ending with a typical Centre County barrage of fireworks. What a concert! The professionalism of the PCO guarantees that serious music is alive and well but also exciting, relevant and contemporary! This was a concert not to have been missed. Centre County should indeed be proud of owning this gem. The promise of high caliber cultural opportunities was a major factor in our recent relocation to Centre County; Sunday afternoon did not disappoint.--Stanley & Phyllis SobieskiState College
It was wonderful -- a beautiful performance of Julian Yu's fabulousorchestration! I couldn't help but think I'd never heard the workbefore. Your introduction was an essential entree into that experience. I think it should all be filmed -- that is, your talk and the PCO'sPictures at an Exhibition performance, with closeups on thepercussionists, over-worked keyboardist, and other principals. --Nadine Kofman
To the PCO!When I told "Minnie", PCO's pan- species patron, about the perfection of the Wagner and the excitement of the Yu/Moussorgsky, she roared (being a German Shepherd , her voice is basso profundo) with Pride! "Now I am truly a Canine of Culture!". And I, a cranky- old -lady-with-a-cane, whose ultimate compliment for a performance, event or situation is "It was worth the drive in" (and back to my mountainside) sincerely tell you that yesterday PCO was worth infinite drives in (and back-it's a nasty drive, you see.)Many many thanks for such Beauty! --Alyce Ritti
All the esu members I've seen since Sunday have said what a charming concert that was. I enjoyed Pictures enormously. I followed the list of movements that you gave us, so was able to identify each picture for the first time. The new orchestration was very interesting indeed.
--Marie Jackman
Dear Editor: we would like to comment on...A musical tour de forceThere are those who believe that serious, a.k.a. classical, music is no longer relevant and that symphonic orchestras will become extinct. Well, they would reconsider had they attended the opening concert of the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra this 21st of October. This gem of an orchestra coupled with the fine acoustics of Esber Hall at Penn State provided an afternoon of hauntingly, romantic yet harmonically complex works of Wagner and finished with a premier performance of an old chestnut, Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" transfigured by the Julian Yu transcription fusing Eastern and Western traditions. The Wagner actually brought tears (to a grown man) by the sonorous orchestral presentation and the beautiful singing by the renowned dramatic soprano, Jennifer Trost. And in stark contrast, the Yu transcription just shimmered like a virtual laser light show ending with a typical Centre County barrage of fireworks. What a concert! The professionalism of the PCO guarantees that serious music is alive and well but also exciting, relevant and contemporary! This was a concert not to have been missed. Centre County should indeed be proud of owning this gem. The promise of high caliber cultural opportunities was a major factor in our recent relocation to Centre County; Sunday afternoon did not disappoint.--Stanley & Phyllis SobieskiState College
It was wonderful -- a beautiful performance of Julian Yu's fabulousorchestration! I couldn't help but think I'd never heard the workbefore. Your introduction was an essential entree into that experience. I think it should all be filmed -- that is, your talk and the PCO'sPictures at an Exhibition performance, with closeups on thepercussionists, over-worked keyboardist, and other principals. --Nadine Kofman
To the PCO!When I told "Minnie", PCO's pan- species patron, about the perfection of the Wagner and the excitement of the Yu/Moussorgsky, she roared (being a German Shepherd , her voice is basso profundo) with Pride! "Now I am truly a Canine of Culture!". And I, a cranky- old -lady-with-a-cane, whose ultimate compliment for a performance, event or situation is "It was worth the drive in" (and back to my mountainside) sincerely tell you that yesterday PCO was worth infinite drives in (and back-it's a nasty drive, you see.)Many many thanks for such Beauty! --Alyce Ritti
All the esu members I've seen since Sunday have said what a charming concert that was. I enjoyed Pictures enormously. I followed the list of movements that you gave us, so was able to identify each picture for the first time. The new orchestration was very interesting indeed.
--Marie Jackman
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Welcome from our conductor
I'm happy you found us. We're here to provide you a spot to discuss the concerts and activities of The Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra, classical music, the arts, orchestras or whatever.
We're looking forward to hearing from you. -Douglas Meyer, Music Director
We're looking forward to hearing from you. -Douglas Meyer, Music Director
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