Kennett Symphony opens 71st season with Beethoven and Bizet

Posted by Press Release on September 7, 2011

The Kennett Symphony opens its 71st season with Magnificent
Masters: Beethoven and Bizet, under the direction of Maestra Mary Woodmansee
Green, featuring pianist Igor Resnianski. The concert will be presented at West Chester University’s
Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre – a new venue for the Symphony – on Saturday, Sept.
24, at 8 p.m.

The season opening concert begins and ends with two pieces
from Beethoven’s “Heroic” decade: his impassioned Overture to “Egmont,” and his
affirmation in time of war, the “Emperor” Concerto, played by Igor Resnianski.
Bizet’s youthful first Symphony rounds out the program.

Beethoven’s 1810 Egmont Overture is part of the stage music written
for Goethe’s tragedy and is one of Beethoven’s greatest overtures.

Written when he was just 17, Bizet’s Symphony No. 1 in C
Major, is a marvel of
precociousness rivaling that of Mozart and Mendelssohn. Influences of Haydn, Rossini and Gounod
(Bizet’s counterpoint teacher), combine with Bizet’s own ebullient, youthful
spirit to create this ebullient masterpiece.

Completed in 1809, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in
E-flat Major (“Emperor”) is the work of a man full of confidence, hope and the
consciousness of indomitable power and is one of the most beloved concertos in
the repertoire. Russian pianist Igor
Resnianski received his formal music training in Russia, graduating with
distinctions from Novosibirsk Music College, and completing the Artist Diploma
program at Texas Christian University and his doctorate from Temple University
in Philadelphia. A Steinway artist,
Dr. Resnianski is winner of many piano competitions including prizes at the New
Orleans International Piano Competition and the All Russian Piano Competition. Dr. Resnianski teaches at West Chester
University and the Nelly Berman School of Music in Haverford.

Igor Resnianski received his formal music degrees in Russia
graduating with distinctions from Novosibirsk Music College under Professor
Elena Storojuk, and Novosibirsk State Conservatorium under Professor Mary
Lebenzon. He continued his studies in the United States completing the Artist
Diploma program under Dr. Tamás Ungár at Texas Christian University. In
addition, he studied as a full scholarship student at the Van Cliburn
International Summer Piano Institute. Dr. Resnianski holds a Doctoral degree
from Temple University in Philadelphia where he studied with Professor Harvey
Wedeen. A Steinway artist, Dr. Resnianski is a prizewinner of many piano
competitions including the First Prize of the New Orleans International Piano
Competition, 1996, and the Second Prize of the All Russian Piano Competition
“Sodrujestvo” in 1991. Dr. Resnianski teaches at West Chester University and
the Nelly Berman School of Music in Haverford.

West Chester University’s Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre is located
at the Swope Music Building and opened in 2006. The Madeleine Wing Adler
Theatre is the newest performing arts venue on campus and has a capacity of 375
people. The theatre was named in honor of University President Madeleine Wing
Adler. The Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre is located at the intersection of S.
High Street and East Campus Drive. The entrance is located on the parking
lot side of the building (M-Lot). The Street Address is 817 S. High Street,
West Chester, PA 19383.

Single ticket prices are $35 in advance and $40 at the door;
students are $5. Subscriptions are available featuring a variety of packages
and prices as well as group discounts. Free parking. For
complete information, call the Kennett Symphony at 610.444.6363 or visit
www.kennettsymphony.org.

Established in 1940 as a community volunteer orchestra for
Kennett Square residents, the Kennett Symphony of Chester County has evolved
into Chester County’s only fully professional symphony orchestra. The Kennett Symphony prepares tomorrows
audiences through its annual Free Family Concerts and Instrument Petting Zoo,
by encouraging young musicians through Voice and Instrumental Competitions, and
through its affiliation with the Kennett Symphony Children’s Chorus.

Kennett Symphony. Our Community. Our Music.