Posting Date: February 24, 2011
Cobb Symphony Orchestra to bring Russian Giants to KSU
Performance will feature work by Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff
By Megan Roberts
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Michael Alexander leading the Cobb Symphony Orchesta |
Kennesaw State University will host the Cobb Symphony Orchestra on March 12 and 13 in the Performance Hall of the Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center. The performance, titled "Russian Giants," will feature Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 1 and Sergei Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2. The performance are at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Michael Alexander, director of orchestras at KSU and music director of the CSO, will serve as conductor for the concert. He believes both pieces convey the strong emotions of their time. “With the Shostakovich piece, people will be able to feel what it was like in Russia during the communist revolution.” Despite its significance, the symphony, according to Alexander, is not widely performed.
Alexander also regards Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 as “one of the great romantic symphonies of all time.” He says the piece is accented by beautiful melodies and lush harmonies. Alexander looks forward to the performances and anticipates that the audience will be able to get a sense of the movement through time that the two composers offer with their unique compositions.
The performances, Alexander explains, are “a great opportunity for KSU to connect with the community." The CSO has been around for nearly 60 years and has performed multiple times at KSU, providing musical outreach to many young musicians.
Tickets are $15 and available for purchase the CSO's website.