Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Turns 21

It just keeps coming.  The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, led by founder/music director James R. Cassidy, is ever on the creative edge.

The 2012-2013 season, its 21st under founder/music director James R. Cassidy, is no exception, with a wide variety of shows on the KSO schedule.  Everything from Mozart's "Solemn Vespers of the Confessor" in context at cathedral venues on both sides of the river, to the tristate debut of Igudesman and Joo in "A Big Nightmare Music."

If the latter doesn't ring a bell, Igudesman and Joo are the most side-splitting act since Victor Borge -- or so says violinist Gidon Kremer, who called them "the funniest show on music and the life of musicians I have seen since the great Victor Borge. I couldn't stop crying of laughter."

The Vienna-based duo -- violinist Aleksey Igudesman and pianist Richard Hyung-ki Joo -- are a sensation on YouTube, with 28 million views to date.  In addition to Kremer, they have performed with pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Janine Jansen, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees and actor Roger Moore. And they have performed for one of the world's greatest conductors, Bernard Haitink, on his 80th birthday,  Said Haitink afterwards:  "I nearly died laughing.  I'd like to invite them back for my 85th, but that might be considered reckless."

Igudesman and Joo will perform "A Big Nightmare Music" April 6.  Their program will include music by Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Bach, Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven and Igudesman and Joo.
 
Cathedral sites were chosen for Mozart's Solemn Vespers because he composed them for Salzburg Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria (in 1780).  The Roman Catholic service of Vespers will take place within the concert at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati May 2.  Prelude and postlude will be the selections heard at the beginning and end of the 1984 film "Amadeus" (Mozart's Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K. 183, and "Lacrimosa" from the Requiem).  The concert itself will repeat (without Vespers) at Covington's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption May 3.

Also on tap for 2012-2012 are "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," to be screened with live accompaniment by the KSO; ""Rushin' Romance: Rach Meets Tchaik," an evening of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky; and the Floodwall Jazz Quintet, a satellite ensemble of the KSO, in a melding of classical music and jazz. Concerts will take place in the Frances K. Carlisle Performing Arts Center at Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills and Florence Baptist Church at Mt. Zion.

Subscriptions for the KSO season are $85-$160, $45-$95 for children (18 and under).  Flex-Pack vouchers, good for any six admissions during the season, are $112-$208.  Single tickets are $19-$35, $24-$40 for "Pirates of the Caribbean" and Igudesman and Joo (children up to 50% off).  Call (859) 431-6216 or order online at www.kyso.org.

The 2012-2013 KSO Season.

Oct. 13, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Florence Baptist Church at Mt. Zion. Disney live in concert. "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl." Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. James R. Cassidy, conductor.

Nov. 17, 8 p.m. Florence Baptist Church at Mt. Zion. "Rushin' Romance: Rach meets Tchaik."  Rachmaninoff, Symphonic Dances. Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 5. Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. James R. Cassidy, conductor.
 
Jan. 19, 8 p.m., Jan. 20, 3 p.m. Frances K. Carlisle Performing Arts Center, Notre Dame Academy. "Floodwall and Friends." Music by Claude Bolling, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Vince Guaraldi and J.S. Bach as interpolated by Don Sebesky. Floodwall Jazz Quintet: Susan Magg, flute. Brian Deyo, guitar. Steve Mason, piano. Mike Sharfe, bass. Jim Leslie, drums.

Aleksey Igudesman (left) and Richard Hyung-ki Joo

April 6, 8 p.m. Florence Baptist Church at Mt. Zion. Igudesman and Joo. "A Big Nightmare Music." Music by Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Bach, Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven and Igudesman and Joo. Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, James R. Cassidy, conductor.

May 2, 7:30 p.m. St. Peter in Chains Cathedral. May 3, 7:30 p.m. Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. "Amadeus at Vespers: Mozart in the Cathedral."  Mozart, Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K. 183 (prelude). "Vesperae Solennes De Cpnfessore," K. 339. "Lacrimosa" from Requiem, K. 626 (postlude). Romanze from Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466. Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. James R. Cassidy, conductor.

Further information at www.kyso.org