Nittany Valley Symphony “From the New World”
November 12 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm EST
The Nittany Valley Symphony continues its 60th anniversary season with “From the New World,” an evening featuring two of the most beloved works in the orchestral repertoire. This exciting program extends the symphony’s celebration of America at 250 by bringing together Rachmaninoff and Dvořák, two composers whose lives and music were transformed by their experiences in the United States. Filled with soaring melodies and orchestral boldness, “From the New World” invites audiences into an evening shaped by discovery, beauty and wonder. The program will include Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring pianist Ian Duh in his solo debut. The piece moves from darkness into hard-won optimism, combining emotional depth with staggering virtuosity. The orchestra also will perform all four movements of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.” Its melodies and musical power capture the beauty and spirit of America in symphonic form. The composition blends African American spirituals and Native American musical traditions encountered during his stay in the United States into a work of sweeping lyricism and unforgettable melodies.