UA Symphony Orchestra opens season tonight

By: Robert Garner

Posted: 10/13/08

The University Symphony Orchestra will perform 7:30 p.m. today in Baum Walker at the Walton Arts Center.

Presented by the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the performance tonight will be the first of the season for the University Symphony Orchestra, according to the press release.

Robert Mueller will conduct the orchestra in tonight's concert, entitled "Noble Sentiments."

The aptly named concert will feature two pieces, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Procession of the Nobles" and Ludwig van Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7," according to the press release.

The orchestra will open the concert with Korsakov's piece, which is a larger work by the composer featured in "Mlada."

It will be upbeat and feature the trumpets with brass fanfares, said Michael Bollero, a senior music education major and a cellist for the orchestra.

The orchestra will then follow with Beethoven's composition, which Bollero said is an amazing piece.

"It goes back and forth between emotional extremes, which are characteristics of Beethoven's work," he said.

The piece features some lively, upbeat moments countered by darker and more depressing things, Bollero said.

"The second movement foreshadows much of Beethoven's future music with the darkness and emotional depth," he said.

"The second movement, for me, is the highlight of the concert," he said. "It's got an intensity that is characteristic of Beethoven but that you don't necessarily see throughout the piece."

Additionally, the film "The Fall" recently featured the second movement, Bollero said.

The group will feature some new faces and talents.

"This year, we are pretty young, but a lot of people have stepped up to the plate and have really shown that they can lead the orchestra," Bollero said.

Admission to tonight's performance is $10 for the general public, $5 for senior citizens and $1 for UA students.

More information about the concert is available at the music department Web site, www.uark.edu/depts/uamusic, or by calling the music department at (479) 575-4701.