Let the symphony music begin

Newburgh —The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, directed by Maestro Woomyung Choe, opens its 2006-2007 season on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. in the Newburgh Free Academy High School Auditorium, 201 Fullerton Avenue, Newburgh. Two outstanding GNSO musicians, Chris Eberle and Glen West, are featured in Vanhal’s Concerto for Two Bassoons in F Major. Brahms’ Tragic Overture and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 round out the evening. Originally from Kansas City, MO, Mr. Eberle is principal bassoonist with the GNSO and the USMA Band, where he began his performing career in 1987. Eberle is a frequent soloist with the USMA Band and is a founding member of the Academy’s Woodwind Quintet. He performed the world premiere of Concerto for Bassoon by Eric Ewazen, as well as at the 2001 and 2003 International Double Reed Society conferences. Additionally, he regularly performs with ensembles throughout the tri-state region. Mr. West, of Spokane, WA, joined the GNSO in 2004 and is also a member of the USMA Band’s bassoon section and the Woodwind Quintet. His previous military service included duty with the 323rd Army Band in San Antonio, TX, the Air National Guard Band of the Northwest in Spokane, WA, and the US Army Europe Band and Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany. He has also performed with symphonies, chamber orchestras and groups in Washington, Texas and Mexico. Born an indentured servant to a noble family in Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, the young Johann Baptist Vanhal (1739-1813) made a name for himself as a violinist and composer and soon earned enough to buy his freedom. His absolute uniqueness among the musicians of his day brought him a life of popularity and success. Next on the program is the Tragic Overture in D minor, Opus 81 by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). During the summer of 1880, he completed two contrasting concert overtures of which he said, “one weeps, the other laughs.” The weeper was the Tragic Overture. Concluding the evening is the masterpiece of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Opus 64. Endowed with some of Tchaikovsky’s most splendid melodic inspiration, Symphony No. 5 is a favorite of audiences and musicians alike. Preceding the concert, at 7 p.m., is the “Shacklett Preview,” an entertaining and enlightening talk by Gordon Shacklett. Tickets are $25 for reserved seats, $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors, $10 for students and free for children under age 7. Tickets may be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 845-625-0625. Visit the web site at www.newburghsymphony.org for further information.