Utah Symphony Orchestra with pianist Verine Chen
Friday and Saturday, December 11-12, 2009 @ 7:30 PM
Sponsored By: Boulevard Home Furnishings
Celebrity Concert Series is excited to present Utah’s premier symphony, the Utah Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro David Cho. The program will feature two masterpieces of of Brahms: Academic Festival Overture and Symphony No. 2 in D Major. A talented young pianist, Verine Chen, will also be featured in Hungarian Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra by Liszt.
David Cho, Associate Conductor, has won numerous awards and accolades for his skill on the podium. He is the Principal Conductor of the Lyceum Music Festival has directed some of the world's finest orchestras including the Vienna Philharmonic and the National Symphony. David is one of the West's leading figures in music education. As a young rising star in the classical conducting world, he is especially gifted working with young musicians directing classical concerts to young audiences across the state of Utah
Verina Chen, age 15, began piano lessons at the age of eight years old, with Dr. Irene Peery-Fox. Verina has placed first in the Utah State Fair Competition twice, first in the MTNA Jr. Baldwin Piano Competition, first in the Encore Concerto Competition twice, and first in the METTA Ensemble Competition. She has also received first prize alternate in the MTNA Jr. Baldwin Competition. She has soloed with the Utah Symphony for their Annual Salute to Youth concert, performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto in F Minor, with the Utah Valley Symphony and the American Fork Symphony performing Mozart's Piano Concerto in A Major, K. 488, as well as giving solo performances in the Assembly Hall in Salt Lake City, and in the Honors Recitals as winner of the Encore Piano Competition. In addition to piano, Verina has studied viola for nine years.
The Utah Symphony has established a rich tradition of musical excellence through the vision and drive of former musical directors Maurice Abravanel, Silverstein.and Keith Lockhart. That tradition continues with dynamic programming, touring, and active collaboration with Utah Opera, Ballet West, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theater, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and other arts organizations throughout the Salt Lake area. The program selected for the Celebrity Concert Series features well-known and beloved classics of the masters.
