Rounding out their Sensational 69th Season, the Idaho Falls Symphony presents “The Triumph of Shostakovich” for one night only on Saturday, April 27th at 7:30pm in the Idaho Falls Civic Center for the Performing Arts. Under the direction of music director Thomas Heuser, the Symphony will tackle the brilliant Fifth Symphony of Dimitry Shostakovich, one of the most formidable works in the repertoire.
“Every year I ask our musicians what music they would most like to play,” remarks Heuser, who recently renewed his contract as Music Director for the next three seasons through 2022. “And every year, they mention Shostakovich as a favorite. Our musicians get excited to play this big, bombastic music because they enjoy the challenge and the thrilling emotions that are evoked. This will be a fantastic finale.”
Adding to the triumphant spirit of the evening, the Season Finale also features the two Winners of the Symphony’s biennial Young Artists Competition. Back in September 2018, eleven finalists performed at the Colonial Theater and a panel of professional judges selected the two winners, whose debut performances are scheduled to occur this weekend. The competition offers a cash prize and is designed to foster the professional development of music students throughout the state of Idaho; it is an integral part of the Symphony’s extensive program of education and outreach efforts.
The winner of the Junior Division, Fernando Perez, is a junior from Borah High School in Boise, Idaho. Fernando studies with Karin Coolidge, former flute and piccolo with the Boise Philharmonic, and Nicole Molumby, flute professor at Boise State University. Fernando will perform the vivacious Finale of Jacques Ibert’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra.
The winner of the Senior Division, Rumeng Liao, is a violin performance major at Idaho State University. Hailing from China, Rumeng performs with the Idaho State Civic Symphony and studies under Hyeri Choi, the concertmaster of the ISCS. Rumeng will perform the brooding first movement of the Violin Concerto in D Minor by Jean Sibelius.
Taken as a whole, the concert showcases the power of the full symphony orchestra and an abundance of different colors and textures for listeners to enjoy. The Symphony has been holding the Young Artists Competition for decades, and always these students shine as an incredible feature of any concert.
“The Triumph of Shostakovich” is set for Saturday, April 27th at 7:30pm in the Civic Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets and information about all Symphony events are available online at www.ifsymphony.org. Join Maestro Heuser for a free Pre-Concert Discussion starting at 6:30pm before the concert for exclusive insights into the music and the performance experience itself. To get more involved, follow the Idaho Falls Symphony on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
