The Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia performs a pair of Masterworks concerts on Saturday, February 12, 8:00pm, at Old Cabell Hall on the Grounds of the University of Virginia and Sunday, February 13, 3:30pm, at Charlottesville High School’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center.
While the Charlottesville Symphony’s woodwind and brass sections remain largely sidelined by COVID restrictions, Music Director Benjamin Rous has crafted a one-hour program with no intermission that spotlights the orchestra’s violin, viola, cello and bass sections. Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classically elegant Serenade for Strings is one of his best-known orchestral works. Composed of four movements filled with memorable melodies, Tchaikovsky described it as “a piece from the heart.”
Appalachian Spring by American composer Aaron Copland was first presented as a modern ballet with choreography by the legendary Martha Graham. Her dance company’s premiere performance at the Library of Congress was accompanied by just thirteen instrumentalists. The popularity of the suite is due in large part to Copland’s inclusion of the familiar Shaker tune “Simple Gifts.” String musicians will be joined by Principal Flute Kelly Sulick, Principal Clarinet Jiyeon Choi, Principal Bassoon Elizabeth Roberts and Principal Keyboard John Mayhood.
In-depth program notes are posted on the orchestra's website, www.cvillesymphony.org.
The Charlottesville Symphony’s 2021-22 concert season is made possible by a major grant from the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation.
The University of Virginia requires that masks be worn at all times inside Old Cabell Hall. In addition to wearing a mask, everyone attending the February 13th concert at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center will be required to provide proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test taken with 72 hours of arrival at the Center. A valid photo ID is also required. Patrons who are not able to show both will not be able to attend the performance and will be issued a ticket refund.
Free parking is available in the UVA Central Grounds Parking Garage, located on Emmet Street South on Saturday nights and at Charlottesville High School’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center on Sunday afternoons. The Charlottesville Free Trolley stops at McCormick Road near the UVA Amphitheater, in close proximity to Old Cabell Hall. Both venues are wheelchair accessible.
Tickets are $10-$45 for adults and $10 for students, and may be purchased at the University of Virginia Arts Box Office, (434) 924-3376, 12:00-5:00pm, Tuesday through Friday in the lobby of the UVA Drama Building at 109 Culbreth Road, or online at www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu.