Verde Valley
Sinfonietta’s
Season III is simply sensational
by Maureen Charles
“I think
the audiences will like the playful melodies and character of the Gounod
Symphony. It’s not heard often, but it should be.”
For the Verde Valley Sinfonietta, the third season has been a
charm - moving into a new, gorgeous facility; featuring fantastic guest artists;
and playing to sold-out audiences.
The third and final concert series of this successful 2008 season
should be magical, as well, with award-winning 17-year-old pianist, Connie Kim-Sheng,
traveling from Los Angeles to Sedona to join the Verde Valley Sinfonietta in its
annual Emerging Artist concerts, April 26 and 27.
Kim-Sheng will solo in two performances of "Beethoven's Piano
Concerto No. 4",the first in Cottonwood, Saturday evening, April 26, 7:00 p.m.,
at Mountain View United Methodist Church, on South 12th St.
A second performance takes place in West Sedona, on Sunday, April
27, 2:30 p.m., at the Rock of Ages Lutheran Church.
Not only is Kim-Sheng guest soloist in the concerto performances,
but she is also doing double and triple duty by creating and playing a special
Family Concert for elementary school children, Saturday morning, April 26. Then,
after the orchestra concert on Sunday, she is the featured entertainer at a
fund-raising event, playing solos in the intimate atmosphere of the host home
for the annual Soiree for the Sinfonietta.
Kim-Sheng has been a student of renowned pedagogue, John Perry,
for four years. When Sinfonietta advisory board member, Patricia LaLiberte,
contacted him for a soloist recommendation, he immediately suggested Kim-Sheng.
"She is very accomplished - a wonderful performer," said Perry.
She has won several concerto competitions in Los Angeles. Most
recently, Kim-Sheng took first place in the Bronislaw Kaper Awards, held by the
Los Angeles Philharmonic. Last year, she was a winner of the Young Musicians
Foundation National Debut Concerto Competition. She earned second place at the
Virginia Waring International Piano Competition. At the age of 14, she was
featured on the National Public Radio program, "From the Top."
"One advantage of bringing these young artists to town is that we
can work them in ways that we cannot do with older, established artists," said
concertmaster, Marion Maby. "They are eager for experience, and open to playing
in different situations."
"Kim-Sheng is interested in visual art, as well as music, and has
chosen an art-music theme for her family concert."
"I'm going to show posters of famous works of art that were
produced at the same time my musical selections were composed or that
illustrate, for me, what the music is about," said Kim-Sheng.
The Family Concert also includes a free pizza party after the
presentation. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call the
Sinfonietta, (928) 282-3066.
The Saturday night and Sunday afternoon concerts with the
Sinfonietta include, in addition to the Beethoven "Piano Concerto No. 4", the
"First Symphony," by 19th century French composer, Charles Gounod, and a
sinfonia by Johann Christian Bach.
Warren Cohen is guest conductor for the concerts. Known for his
innovative programming with his MusicNova orchestras, based in Scottsdale, Cohen
has received an ASCAP national award for adventurous programming.
"I'm enjoying the challenge of directing the Sinfonietta," said
Cohen. "There is real promise here. I think the audiences will like the playful
melodies and character of the Gounod symphony. It's not heard often, but it
should be."
Members of the audience will be asked to fill out a survey form
that will assist the Sinfonietta board in selecting its music director for the
coming 2008-09 season.
According to Lelia Schoenberg, Sinfonietta board president, "We've
always asked our audience for feedback. This year it will be interesting to see
not only what they think about the orchestra and the musical results, but also
how each conductor affected them personally."
Tickets for the Sinfonietta orchestral concerts, with Kim-Sheng as
soloist are $10 for adults, and free for children under 18. In advance, they may
be purchased at Bashas in Sedona, Weber's IGA in the Village of Oak Creek, and
Planet Video and Music in Cottonwood. Tickets will also be available at the door
before each concert.
For reservations for the Family Concert & Pizza party, call (928)
282-3066. Information about the Soiree for the Sinfonietta, which will be
catered by restaurateur, Lisa Dahl, at a signature Sedona private home, is
downloadable from the Verde Valley Sinfonietta's Web site
www.verdevalleysinfonietta.org