Download Third World Premiere This Season to be Performed by CSO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Third World Premiere This Season to be Performed by CSO
Contemporary Quintet
CANTON, Ohio (January 28, 2014) — World premiere performances are a rarity. To premiere three
works in one season is a very rare privilege. A Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO) contemporary
quintet – in its typical world-class fashion – will premiere a third classical work on Thursday, February 6
(Thursday at 1:00pm) and Friday, February 7 (Friday at 7:00pm) in Cable Recital Hall at Canton’s
Cultural Center for the Arts on Market Avenue North. The other two world premieres this season were
this past fall: A Secret Gift (Eric Benjamin) and Tuba Sonata for Strings, Piano and Tuba (Tom Lukowicz).
The quintet will premiere Parodos by Jack Hughes which has been commissioned by the CSO through
the Composer Fellowship Program of the Cleveland Institute of Music. Mr. Hughes explains his work,
“The inspiration for the piece is the early Greek tragedy. While sketching the piece I learned that these
tragedies featured a single actor interacting with a large, masked chorus. Parodos — the word for the
initial procession of a Greek Chorus onto the stage — is a musical imagination of these ancient plays.”
Hughes continues, “I was imagining a composition based on a lopsided conversation, with three
characters pitted against the fourth. The cellos form the chorus that converses with, and sometimes
antagonizes the clarinet protagonist.”
In May, Hughes will complete a dual degree in composition and music theory at the Cleveland Institute
of Music (CIM). He is the CSO’s 2013-14 Composer-in-Residence. Two dozen national and
international contests for young composers have recognized his works since 2006 and two large
ensembles commissioned him in 2011-12 to write major works. At CIM, Jack studies trumpet with
Michael Miller of the Cleveland Orchestra. He also plays piano, violin and viola.
The quintet is comprised of cellists Erica Snowden, Michael Koscso, and Paul Miahky, clarinetist Alix
Reinhardt, and pianist Shuai Wang. In addition to Hughes’ Parodos, they will perform David Popper’s
Requiem and Robert Muczynski’s Fantasy Trio.
The Chesapeake Energy Casual Series offers a musically intimate setting. Typically only a one-hour
concert, the audience is up-close and personal with the musicians, who provide background to many of
the pieces they play. A reception with the musicians is included with each concert.
The Casual Series concerts are an affordable $15 for adults or $10 for seniors/students. There is also a
Flex Pass available for $50 ($35 for seniors & students) that includes four tickets to any of the
remaining Casual programs. The Flex Pass and individual tickets are available online at
www.CantonSymphony.org, by calling 330-452-2094, at the box office window located inside the
Cultural Center for the Arts (weekdays 10am-2pm), or by walk-up. Dress is casual and concerts are
appropriate for ages 8 and older.
Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization
dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain. Under the direction of Gerhardt
Zimmermann, the orchestra performs classical, pops, holiday, and educational programs. Most
performances are in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio (at McKinley
High School across from C.T. Branin Natatorium). Parking at McKinley High School is free. For more
information, please visit www.CantonSymphony.org.
###
For more information:
Irene Barker
Director of Marketing, Canton Symphony Orchestra
330-452-3434
Irene – Photo of Quintet or Hughes?