OPENING NIGHT HOMECOMING SERIES AT THE MET

Oct 21, 2004

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow

SPOKANE -- The first concert for this year's Met goers will prove to be a familiar display of guest artists and fabulous music. Spokane natives from across the world are returning to be a part of the city's renaissance. The Symphony joins the celebration by featuring fine musicians who began their careers in the Inland Northwest. The Spokane Symphony starts this series with an exciting program chosen by Music Director Eckart Preu.

Spokane Homecoming will delight listeners on Friday, Oct 29 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, Oct 31 at 3 p.m. They will enjoy a return performance by Spokane native Steven Drury on the piano as well as hearing members of the Symphony featured in Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Please note the traditional Tuesday night concert has been rescheduled to Friday because of election dayon Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Although there have been many Seasonal compositions, none are as vivid and vibrant as Vivaldi's. Each season is composed as its own violin concerto featuring soloists from the orchestra. Tana Bachman will play concerto in E Major Spring, followed by Michael Price with concerto in g minor Summer. To introduce Autumn, Kelly Farris will play concerto in F Major and Jason Bell will close with concerto in f minor Winter.

To conclude Steven Drury will entertain with Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1. Although this was not the first piano concerto Beethoven composed, it was the first he published. Piano Concerto No. 1 gives the audience a glimpse of Beethoven's strong sense of humor and his abiding fondness for surprise.

Pianist Stephen Drury, named 1989 Musician of the Year by the Boston Globe, has performed throughout the world with a repertoire that stretches from Bach to Liszt to the music of today. After studying in Spokane with Margie May Ott he earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard College, and has also earned the New England Conservatory's select Artist Diploma. Drury is artistic director of the Callithumpian Consort, and he created and directs the Summer Institute for Contemporary Piano Performance at New England Conservatory.

This concert is underwritten by: Phyllis Kelsch

CALENDAR LISTING:
Spokane Homecoming, Spokane Symphony with Steven Drury; Friday Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 31 at
3 p.m. at the Met Theater. Tickets are $13, $18, $20, and $24; Call the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at (509) 624-1200; or tickets are also available, with service charges, through www.spokanesymphony.org and Ticketswest at 325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT.