6abc Loves the Arts: Curtis Symphony Orchestra
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Curtis Institute of Music is one of the most exclusive music colleges in the world and the school's Symphony Orchestra is kicking off a new season with sounds from around the world.
"It'll be a very moving experience for people," promises David Ludwig, a composer, Curtis instructor and chair of the school's Composition Studies.
The concert kicks off with The Manheim Rocket by Julliard professor and Oscar award-winning composer John Corigliano.
"Some people would know him if they knew the movie The Red Violin. He won an Oscar for that soundtrack," says Ludwig.
The second work will take audiences across the North Atlantic for a piece called The Miraculous Mandarin by 20th century Hungarian composer Béla Bartók.
"The Miraculous Manadrin was actually a really scandalous piece," Ludwig says, "There's love and death and murder and mystery."
The show is rounded out with a selection inspired by the Middle Eastern folk tale One Thousand and One Nights called Scheherazade.
"I think a lot of people would hear this piece and be like 'oh I've heard that before'," says Ludwig.
The concert is led by British conductor Gilbert Varga, making his debut with the orchestra.
"His reputation precedes him; he's a really wonderful conductor," says Ludwig, "who conducts all over the world."
The Symphony puts on just three orchestral concerts each school year and, Ludwig says, it's the chance to see the future stars of the musical world.
"I think the audience will jump out of their seats," he says, "These are like the Olympic athletes of music."
Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, January 28th, 3pm
The Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall
300 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
For tickets: www.TheArtsinPhilly.org
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