Department of Music

The Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra opens its 2011-12 “Bridges” season with a program titled “Bridges Across Traditions” on Friday, September 30, 8:00 p.m., at Old Cabell Hall on the U.Va Grounds, and Sunday, October 2, 3:30 p.m., at Monticello High School in Charlottesville.

The concert includes works by three giants of the orchestral literature: Antonín Dvorák’s joyous Carnival Overture, Johannes Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin and Cello and Ludwig van Beethoven’s mighty Symphony No. 3, popularly known as the Eroica.

Stephen Czarkowski is the orchestra’s guest conductor during Music Director Kate Tamarkin’s fall semester sabbatical.

Both performances are sponsored by Bank of America.

All three composers were known as traditionalists, but each was hailed for his compositional innovations as well; hence, the program’s sub-title, “3 Traditionalists, 3 Innovators.” The Carnival Overture was part of a trilogy of overtures sharing a common musical motive – a daring concept at the time. The “Brahms Double,” as it is affectionately dubbed by string players, was the composer’s only concerto for two instruments. Beethoven broke with many traditions in this Third Symphony, forging the path toward symphonic romanticism.

Featured in the concerto are violinist David Colwell and cellist Adam Carter. Mr. Colwell returns to Charlottesville where he served as the orchestra’s Concertmaster and first violinist of the Rivanna String Quartet at the University of Virginia since 2006. He was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Violin at the State University of New York – Fredonia School of Music.

Adam Carter is the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Cellist, a member of the University of Virginia’s music faculty, and a founding member of the Tarab Cello Ensemble.

Know the Score pre-concert lectures will be presented 45 minutes before each concert. Free of charge, these informative and entertaining lectures by McIntire Department of Music Chairman and Associate Professor of Music Richard Will offer both novice and experienced patrons a deeper appreciation of the performances. Friday’s lecture will take place in Minor Hall; Sunday’s lecture will be held in the Forum at Monticello High School.

Free parking is available in the U.Va Central Grounds Parking Garage, located on Emmet Street, on Saturday night and at the high school on Sunday afternoons. Both venues are wheelchair accessible.

Tickets are priced at $38, $30, $25 and $20 for adults, and $10 for students. U.Va students may request one complimentary ticket in advance. Tickets may be purchased at The University of Virginia Arts Box Office, (434) 924-3376, 12:00-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday in the lobby of the Drama Building at 109 Culbreth Road, or on-line at www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu.

Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra: Bridges Across Traditions

Subscription tickets for the entire season are available at the orchestra office (434) 924-3139.