Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WHO: Yefim Bronfman with the Austin Symphony Orchestra
WHEN: November 10 & 11, 2006 - 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Bass Concert Hall
TICKETS: $19-$42
CONTACT: Don Hill, Director of Public Relations - 476-6064 x 213

PIANIST TO 'DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE' FOR SYMPHONY'S NOVEMBER CONCERT

Season Sponsor: JPMorganChase
Concert Sponsors: Freescale Semiconductor & Sematech
Media Sponsors: Time Warner Cable/News 8 Austin, Austin American-Statesman and KVET 98.1 FM

"Spectacular performance...exquisite poise and tenderness." - National Post, Toronto

Austin audiences will continue to experience the excellence of the Austin Symphony’s 96th concert season on November 10 & 11 when Maestro Peter Bay and the ASO welcome pianist Yefim Bronfman for a night featuring works by Mozart, Rachmaninoff and Richard Strauss. Freescale Semiconductor and Sematech proudly sponsor this concert.

PROGRAM
R. Strauss - Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome>
Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491
Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Minor, Op. 40
R. Strauss - Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks

Maestro Peter Bay opens the evening with Richard Strauss’ “Dance of the Seven Veils,” from his opera Salome. The ASO then welcomes pianist Yefim Bronfman to center stage for the first of two piano concertos being performed that evening, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor.

Widely regarded as one of the most talented virtuoso pianists performing today, Yefim Bronfman’s commanding technique and exceptional lyrical gifts have won him consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences worldwide. Emigrating from Israel in 1973, Mr. Bronfman made his international debut two years later with Zubin Mehta and the Montreal Symphony. He begins his performances for the evening with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor. One of only two piano concertos that Mozart wrote in a minor key, The C Minor Concerto opening theme was the inspiration for Beethoven’s later C Minor Piano Concerto.

Following a brief intermission, Mr. Bronfman returns to center stage to perform the Fourth Piano Concerto of Sergei Rachmaninoff. Performances of this concerto are rarer than with the other Rachmaninoff concertos. Maestro Bay then closes the evening as it started, with a work by Richard Strauss, the symphonic poem, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks). The work is based on the adventures of the legendary anti-authoritarian Eulenspiegel, a peasant born allegedly in 1300, who uses an assumed simplicity to deflate authority of every kind, for which he receives a just reward.

Concertgoers can enjoy "Concert Conversations" with Bob Buckalew at 7:10 pm in the hall. These free discussions provide an in-depth look at the composers and works being performed, including commentary on the social climate in which they were composed.

Tickets for Yefim Bronfman with the Austin Symphony range from $19 to $42. Student rush tickets are also available 20 minutes prior to performance for $5 cash and current student ID. Charge tickets online at www.austinsymphony.org where you will find interactive seating maps, price options and a wealth of concert information. Tickets are also available at the Austin Symphony Box Office, 11th & Red River or call 476-6064 or 1-888-4-MAESTRO (toll-free).