Preview the music for the "Immortal Melodies" Concert on Feb. 20, 2025

Certain melodies conjure the best of a symphony orchestra. The "Immortal Melodies" concert features some of our favorite pieces as well as showcasing two outstanding local musicians. Join the Orchestra of Southern Utah on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Theater, 105 N. 100 West, in Cedar City. Tickets now available at myosu.org.

The Moldau by Smetana takes a journey along a Czech river complete with a wedding dance as the river goes from the mountains of Bohemia to Prague. This symphonic poem tells a story complete with castles and rapids as the river wends its way to the Elbe. Listening link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6kqu2mk-Kw

Berceuse and Finale from Stravinsky's Firebird Suite conjures the magic of the bird who tells the king about what is really happening in the kingdom.  The famous ballet music is a triumph of good over evil.

Listening Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWvOgda1g2E

Alexander Borodin was a chemist who composed on Sundays. The Polovtsian Dances from the opera Prince Igor include a melody that became famous in the musical Kismet. "Take my hand, I'm a stranger in paradise" was a huge hit in 1953. Listening Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAMIimzqvW4

Pachelbel's Canon is a deceptively simple piece with eight notes repeating under a timeless melody. This arrangement by cellist Pat Pinkston gives the cellists a chance to share the melody. Using the harp for the piano part adds another level of musical magic. Listening Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_esxn9m-CHU

"We are so excited to be joined by some extremely talented instrumentalists for our February concert including Ben Bradshaw on bassoon and David Torres on trumpet. You won’t want to miss this spectacular addition to our season!" said Music Director and Conductor Carylee Zwang.

Dr. Ben Bradshaw has chosen a Concertino for Bassoon. The Finnish composer Bernard Crusell wrote this Concertino for bassoon in 1829 "for his son-in-law Franz Preumayr who was considered Sweden's foremost bassoonists at the time." They lived in Stockholm and this virtuostic piece was premiered in 1829. Bradshaw teaches at both SUU and Utah Tech and has played in numerous ensembles across the country. Listening Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6UH-HrxevY

Kevin McKee wrote Centennial Horizon as a commission from Albany trumpeter Catherine Sheridan. "With two contrasting movements (Aspen Grove and Roaring Gunnison) connected by an interlude (Alpenglow), I have attempted to capture some of the beauty and adventure of what truly is an amazing place: Colorado (the "Centennial State"). Inspired by my late grandmothers love of that state, the first movement is an homage to her," said McKee.  David Torres teaches at SUU where he has developed the Thunderbird Marching Band. He is an active performer with touring musical. Torres served as one of the final trumpet players/conductors for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Listening Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K55aX47d8aM

The Southern Utah String Quartet will provide lobby music by Schubert before the concert.

Concert tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Go to myosu.org for ticket purchases. No children under six or babies for the evening concerts please, as these concerts are recorded. Recordings are available on the website and selective past performances are posted on the OSUCedarCity YouTube channel.

"We are excited to bring this unforgettable music to you,"  said Harold Shirley, OSU President. "Come and enjoy an evening of great symphony orchestra music with us on Feb. 20."

Full artist bios at: https://osucedarcity.blogspot.com/2025/01/