Wheeling Symphony’s “Respigh’s Pines”
André Raphel, conductor Deborah Selig, soprano The Wheeling Symphony’s 88th Season finale opens with Dvorak’s rousing Carnival Overture followed by Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, an engaging and powerful work from arguably his most beautiful period. Soprano Deborah Selig will join the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra by performing Five Songs with Orchestra. Ms. Selig has been hailed by the Boston Globe, “an impressively nimble, lustrous soprano.” The season concludes with Respighi’s majestic and expressive Pines of Rome, painting a musical portrait of scenes around The Eternal City. A powerful and magical ending to an impressive musical journey, where it is clear that “Music is the Key.”
Wheeling Symphony presents “The Force of Destiny”
Symphony Concert: Verdi, Beethoven, Strauss & Respighi André Raphel, conductor Deborah Selig, soprano Giuseppe Verdi’s intense overture to “La Forza del Destino” opens this breath taking season finale! Beethoven’s often overlooked Symphony No. 4 continues with its cheerful and engaging melodic line. Soprano, Deborah Selig joins the WSO for Richard Strauss’ “Five Songs with Orchestra.” The Boston Globe called Ms. Selig “an impressively nimble, lustrous soprano.” This majestic and lyrical concert concludes with Ottorino Respighi’s “Pines of Rome,” paying tribute to the Eternal City. This musical portrait continues to be, a great success and popular favorite in the orchestral repertoire, a powerful performance not to be missed.
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra presents “Appalachian Rhapsody”
Andre Raphel, conductor Nate Strasser, piano Matt Combs, violin Television/Film composer, songwriter and virtuoso pianist, Nate Strasser returns to his roots performing the WV Premiere of his signature “Appalachian Rhapsody.” Joining Nate is violinist and collaborator, Matt Combs, a featured performer of the “Grand Olde Oprey” the dynamic duo explores music inspired by the West Virginia hills. Nate and the WSO also perform additional orchestral compositions that feature piano, jazz and popular music in this homecoming concert.
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra presents “Back 2 Back: The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel”
Our 88th Anniversary Season celebrates the piano’s 88 Keys with the music of two contemporary piano legends, Elton John & Billy Joel. Returning guest artist Jeans n’ Classics will sing us the songs of the piano men including the hits: “Movin’ Out,” “Always A Woman,” “Piano Man,” “You May Be Right,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” “Circle of Life” and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” to name some. Back by popular demand, Jeans n’ Classics will put the WSO crowd in the mood for a melody and have us feelin’ alright!
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra presents “Bach Double & Mozart”
Stravinsky, Bach, Danielpour & Mozart André Raphel, conductor Rachel Stegeman, violin Juan Jaramillo, violin Igor Stravinsky’s charming “Pulcinella Suite” begins this all WSO concert. Stravinsky called this work his “discovery of the past” and “gateway” to his future compositions. The timeless Bach “Double Violin Concerto” highlights the virtuosity of our very own Rachel Stegeman and Juan Jaramillo. The lively concerto is characterized by the expressive counterpoint between the two violins. The concert continues with Richard Danilepour’s “Adagietto for Strings” a WSO commission that Danielpour called “…an exciting fusion, being written as it is for Wheeling—one of the smallest cities to maintain an orchestra of this caliber…” The concert concludes with Mozart’s final “Symphony, No. 41” (Jupiter) where Mozart demonstrates his sheer brilliance as a composer. Its emotional range prefigures the vast expressive canvas that foreshadow the symphonies of Beethoven.
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra presents “Russian Masterpieces”
Berlioz, Prokofiev & Rachmaninoff André Raphel, conductor Stewart Goodyear, piano The lyrical “Roman Carnival Overture” by Hector Berlioz opens this spectacular showcase of symphonic music by the WSO. The Los Angeles Times proclaimed returning guest artist, Stewart Goodyear “a phenomenon!” He joins the WSO performing Sergei Prokofiev’s inventive and witty “Piano Concerto No. 3.” This masterful concert concludes with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s gorgeous, melodic “Symphony No. 2,” one of the composer’s best known compositions. A monumental concert experience!
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra presents “Blockbuster Broadway”
André Raphel, conductor Scott Coulter, vocalist/host Jessica Hendy, vocalist Kelli Rabke, vocalist John Boswell, vocalist/pianist The Wheeling Symphony begins its 88th Anniversary Season with an evening of Broadway’s timeless hits. Come hear the WSO perform the music from “Wicked,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Annie,” “Jersey Boys,” “The Sound of Music,” “Chicago,” “CATS,” “The Lion King,” “A Chorus Line” and more! Some of New York’s top vocalists join the WSO in this ultimate show tune extravaganza. The perfect opening night concert!
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra at the Clarksburg Amphitheater
Celebrate Independence Day with a riveting performance from the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, followed immediately by a fireworks show! This event is FREE and will begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the City Parks of Clarksburg at 304-624-1655.
Wheeling Symphony presents “Orchestral Colors & Sounds”
André Raphel, conductor Julia Bullock, soprano Program Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks Barber: Knoxville:: Summer of 1915 Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (The Titan) Rising star soprano Julia Bullock joins the WSO for her debut performance singing Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Commissioned and premiered by Wheeling native and international opera star Eleanor Steber, this evocative work is a simple, dreamlike depiction of an evening in the American South. Our concert opens with Strauss’ tone poem, a musical portrayal of German folk hero Till Eulenspiegel’s trickery; we conclude with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 (The Titan) a stupendous symphonic achievement!
Wheeling Symphony presents “A Tribute to the Beatles”
André Raphel, conductor Classical Mystery Tour With more than 30 timeless Beatles tunes sung, played, and performed exactly as they were written, Classical Mystery Tour is more than just a rock concert! Come hear Penny Lane with a live trumpet section; experience the beauty of Yesterday with an acoustic guitar and string quartet; enjoy the rock/classical blend on the hard edged I Am the Walrus. From early Beatles music through the solo years, Classical Mystery Tour is the best of the Beatles like you’ve never heard them: totally live…a concert bridging generations of all music lovers!
Wheeling Symphony presents “Inspired By Dance”
André Raphel, conductor Christopher O’Riley, piano Program Stravinsky: Scherzo a la Russe Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 Ravel: La Valse Ravel: Bolero This exhilarating concert takes its inspiration from dance, opening with the rhythmic Scherzo a la Russe by Stravinsky. Returning guest artist and “From the Top” radio host Christopher O’Riley performs one of Rachmaninoff’s most enduringly popular pieces, Piano Concerto No. 2; with its big opening chords and beautiful melodic line, the piano will truly dance with the orchestra in this spectacular romantic piece. The performance concludes with two ballet works by Ravel: La Valse and the perennial favorite Bolero, which Ravel viewed as an experiment in repetition, rhythm, crescendo and orchestration.