In the Presence of Greatnss at the PSO Gala

I started the first day of my new year around the sun in the presence of greatness. The occasion was the annual Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s annual Gala, which kicked off a new season Saturday night. The sold-out concert, a black tie, formal dress event which included folks in much less formal attire as well. featured much-in-demand pianist, Lang Lang, the Franz Liszt of the modern era, who thrilled the audience with a spectacular performance of Beethoven’s “Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major for Piano and Orchestra.”

The standing ovation for the acclaimed pianist lasted a good five minutes until the remarkable musician consented to play an encore piece, the title of which escapes me.

The Gala concert also included Leonard Bernstein’s “Overture to Candide,” and a Suite of three excerpts from Bizet’s opera “Carmen.”

One especially intriguing piece on the program was jazz pianist, Chuck Core’s “La Fiesta” for 2 Cellos, Strings and Percussion, arranged by Andre Pushkarev. It featured cellists Anne Martindale Williams and Dale Jeong. Martindale has performed for fifty years with the PSO and is retiring next month. A crowd favorite over the years, she and Jeong were interviewed by Maestro Manfred Honeck following their performance, much to the delight of the crowd.

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