DelawareScene: UD Symphony Orchestra presents: An Americana Perspective @ University of Delaware, Puglisi Orchestra Hall at Roselle Center for the Arts

UD Symphony Orchestra presents: An Americana Perspective

Aaron COPLAND: An Outdoor Overture

Samuel BARBER: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, op. 14

Irmina Trynkos, soloist

Intermission

Leonard BERNSTEIN: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

(Online sales are available until noon on the day of the performance, or the preceding Friday for weekend events. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door beginning 30 minutes prior to the performance).

Portraits of the Americana experience come in a multitude of different forms and there have been many musical champions throughout our history. None, perhaps, as influential as the three composers presented on this program.

Aaron Copland (1900-1990) stands as one of America's most iconic composers, celebrated for his distinctively American style and profound influence on 20th-century music. "An Outdoor Overture," composed in 1938, is a vibrant testament to Copland's ability to capture the essence of American landscapes and spirit through music. Commissioned by conductor Andre Kostelanetz for a high school orchestra festival in New York City's Lewisohn Stadium, "An Outdoor Overture" embodies the openness, energy, and optimism of the American outdoors. It reflects Copland's fascination with wide-open spaces and the pioneering spirit of the American people.

Samuel Barber (1910-1981) was renowned for his ability to infuse emotion and lyricism into his compositions, and his Violin Concerto, Op. 14, stands as a testament to this mastery of musical expression. Premiered in 1941 with Albert Spalding as the soloist, this concerto quickly earned a place as one of the most beloved and frequently performed violin concertos of the 20th and 21st centuries. We are delighted to feature Irmina Trynkos on this program. Ms. Trynkos has been hailed by BBC Music Magazine as “an intense and charismatic new star” and “a phenomenal talent”. Gramophone calls her simply “excellent”. The Strad Magazine praises her for being “an agile and expressive soloist (…whose) poise never falters and matches her sense of power and conviction”. We know you will enjoy her artistry!

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) is widely regarded as one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century, and his musical "West Side Story" remains an iconic masterpiece of American musical theater. Composed in 1957 with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "West Side Story" reimagines Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet amidst the gritty streets of 1950s New York City, exploring themes of love, prejudice, and violence. The Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story," arranged by Bernstein himself in 1961, distills the essence of the musical into a thrilling orchestral suite. In this electrifying work, Bernstein captures the energy, passion, and drama of the original score, weaving together themes and motifs from the musical with symphonic brilliance.

IRMINA TRYNKOS has been hailed by BBC Music Magazine as “an intense and charismatic new star” and “a phenomenal talent”. Gramophone calls her simply “excellent” and The Strad praises her for being “an agile and expressive soloist (…whose) poise never falters and matches her sense of power and conviction”. Her recording with Maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy, conducting the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra for Chandos Records, features Nimrod Borenstein’s Violin Concerto and earned her the coveted 5* BBC Music Magazine “Concerto Choice”. BBC Music Magazine states that her “intensity recalls Isaac Stern’s golden period”.

Since her breakthrough performance conducted by Neeme Järvi, Irmina’s highlights include performances at the Berliner Philharmonie, Slovak Philharmonic, Cadogan Hall, Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Toronto Centre for Arts, Shanghai Concert Hall and the debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, which received no less than 6 standing ovations. Her debut CD with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra became NAXOS’ best-seller and reached the Top 20 Specialist Classical Charts. Luxembourg’s Pizzicato awarded Irmina with its coveted Supersonic Award, calling her interpretation “engaging and eloquent”.

As Fanfare reveals, “musical intelligence and emotional depth are hallmarks of Trynkos” and it is her curiosity that was the leading force behind the Waghalter Project and subsequently her debut CD with all of Ignatz Waghalter’s premiere violin works. Following this success, Irmina was invited to give an extensive tour of China which included debuts at Shanghai Oriental Art Centre, Chongqing Guotai Arts Centre and Guangzhou Opera House. Her recordings are broadcasted on international radios including BBC3, Radio 4 Netherlands, Kol Ha Musica, Polish Radio 2, Concertzender, KulturRadio, Radio New Zealand and more. Jewish Renaissance Magazine made Irmina “Artist of the Year” and she was featured on BBC Xtra, where she was interviewed and played live to an audience of more than 36 million worldwide. “Irmina is a very natural performer, always giving her utmost and impressing the audience with her interpretation, warmth and sensitivity. She loves being on the stage, which comes through in her playing and communication with the listeners” said acclaimed violinist Lydia Mordkovitch.

Irmina’s British-Greek-Polish background, bravely leaving home at an early age and her troubled youth have made her an unrivalled communicator and champion of classical music to the young and new audiences. She is a strong advocate of reviving unknown violin compositions and loves working with living composers. Irmina plays on Jakob Stainer Violin from 1670. More info on www.irminatrynkos.com