Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra will perform Ferde Grofé“Grand Canyon Suite” and Samuel Barber’s “Violin Concerto, Op. 14,” on Thursday, April 22 at 8 p.m. in Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall at the UGA Performing Arts Center. The concert is presented free of charge and will be captured in high definition video for later broadcast.
Movements from Grofé’s “Grand Canyon Suite” have been utilized in Hollywood films since the 1950’s, including the 1958 Walt Disney short, Grand Canyon. 2010 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of American composer Samuel Barber, who completed his “Violin concerto, Op. 14,” in 1939. The work has been recorded by many of the world’s most-acclaimed violinists, including Itzak Perlman and Isaac Stern.
The UGA performance will feature Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, of the violin faculty in the Hodgson School of Music. The symphony orchestra will be conducted by Mark Cedel, professor in the music school.
“This initial foray into broadcasting is a very significant step for our school and for the university,” said Dale Monson, director of the Hodgson School. “With observances of the university’s 225th anniversary, the 100th anniversary of the graduate school and of Barber’s birth, this commemoration and beginning of a broadcasting tradition is an event to celebrate and we invite the whole community to come and be a part of it.”
The April 22 performance will be captured on eight high-definition cameras, under the guidance of Steve Bell of the broadcast, video and photography division of UGA Public Affairs.
For directions to the performing arts center, see www.music.uga.edu