Huntsville Symphony Presents Mainly Mozart Concert

Can the musicians of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra perform without their conductor? Here's your chance to find out as the HSO presents the third concert of the Mainly Mozart series on Saturday, February 5, 2005, in the Sanctuary of Trinity United Methodist Church. In true classical style, Mark Reneau leads his colleagues from his Concertmaster position in much the same way that Mozart did in his time.

Each work on this charming program was composed during the baroque or the Viennese (Classical) style periods of music history with the exception of the “Holberg Suite.” Although Grieg’s masterpiece was produced during the romantic period, the composer drew his inspiration from dances of the early baroque. The players of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra will follow the tradition of early orchestral performances as they present this concert without a conductor.

The program opens with "The Holberg Suite" by Edvard Grieg. Huntsville native Daniel Pesca appears as soloist in J. S. Bach's Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D minor. Principal oboist Carey Shinbaum joins Reneau in Bach's Concerto in C minor for Violin and Oboe. To close, the HSO performs the Symphony No. 29 in A, written by a seventeen-year-old Mozart.

Artist biographies

Mark Reneau, leader and soloist
Mark Reneau's career encompasses solo, recital and concerto appearances, as well as orchestral, opera, chamber music and baroque performance. Concertmaster since 1998, Mr Reneau has performed regularly with the HSO since 1977.

Daniel Pesca, piano
Huntsville native Daniel Pesca is a composition and piano performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. An extremely active performer, he currently studies with Nelita True, and he worked with Van Cliburn silver medalist Yakov Kasman in Alabama. A prize-winning composer, Mr. Pesca has been writing music since he was 8, receiving his first orchestral commission from the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra at age 12.

Carey Shinbaum, oboe
A native of Fort Payne, AL, Carey Shinbaum received his formative musical experiences while growing up in Chattanooga, TN. Mr. Shinbaum began oboe studies with Chattanooga Symphony and Opera principal oboist Robert Burks, and was soon performing as a soloist with and substitute member of the CSO. He received a bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and a master's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Immediately following his graduation, Mr. Shinbaum was appointed principal oboe of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets may be purchased by phone at 539-4818, in person at the HSO Offices and online at www.hso.org. Tickets may also be purchased the night of the concert at Trinity beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Single ticket prices are $25 for adults and $15 for students, with group rates available.

If you call the HSO office at 256.539.4818 and mention About.com you can get half price tickets.

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, North Alabama’s premiere performing arts organization, traces its beginnings back to the winter of 1954-55 and the presence of Wernher von Braun and his German rocket teams, whose arrival in Huntsville sparked an era of sensational growth. While the professional lives of these new residents were dedicated to visions of space exploration, they brought with them a lifelong passion for classical music. Many of the Germans played in the first orchestra. Their energy and influence set the tone for the vibrant cultural life enjoyed today by the residents of the Tennessee Valley.

HSO provides high quality classical music performances and education to the entire region. More information is available at 539-4818 and www.hso.org.