Chamber Orchestra - Delibes Tao Saint-Saens - 6abc Loves the Arts

September 3, 2015 -- The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia opens its new season, this month, with a world premiere work from a world-renowned artist.

Conrad Tao is just 21 years old and already he's a much sought after composer, pianist and violinist.

"Conrad Tao is a phenomenal artist," says the Chamber Orchestra's Executive Director, Janelle McCoy.

In his appearance with the ensemble, Tao will be playing the piano and premiering a very unusual piece that he has written, using an Apple iPad as part of the orchestration.

"He's taking samples and those live samples will become a part of the texture of the work. You'll actually hear the music playing back as if it were instrumentation," says McCoy, "It's almost like he's being a jazz artist in a classical medium."

The piece is called An Adjustment.

"It's actually an exploration of Conrad's own journey about depression and how one feels whether as an artist how you work through those issues," says McCoy who adds Tao will then accompany the Orchestra on another work. "It's called the Saint-Saens Piano Concerto NO. 2, which is known as a very, very difficult piece of music."

The piece was panned when it premiered in the mid 19thcentury. "It's since become a beloved work within the classical canon," says McCoy.

The Chamber rounds out the concert with a work based on the story of Rigoletto.

"It's a wonderful suite of about seven movements, and that's how we will open the concert," says McCoy.

The concert marks the start of the Chamber Orchestra's 51st season and McCoy describes it as. "a wonderful mixture of new and old and a little unusual."

The concert is at the Kimmel Center September 20th and 21st. Both performances are followed by meet and great opportunities, first with members of the orchestra and then the artist. For tickets, go to www.TheArtsinPhilly.org.