March 21 Concert Features Local Composer Osvaldo Golijov, Pianist Eric Himy, and Soprano Elizabeth Keusch

The Newton Symphony Continues its 38th season on Sunday evening, March 21st , at 7:30 pm with a program featuring local composer Osvaldo Golijov's Three Songs for Soprano and Orchestra, with soprano Elizabeth Keusch . The program also features pianist Eric Himy as guest soloist for Camille Saint Saens' Piano Concerto No. 2 and Africa, Fantasie for piano & orchestra; and includes Kodaly's Dances of Galanta.

Composer Osvaldo Golijov was born in Argentina. As the child of a pianist, he was immersed in classical music, Jewish liturgical and klezmer music and the new tangos of Astor Piazzolla. He studied piano at the local conservatory as a child and later moved to Israel, where he studied composition at the Rubin Academy of Jerusalem. Upon moving to the United States in 1986, Golijov earned his Ph.D at the University of Pennsylvania where he studied with George Crumb. Mr. Golijov is a composer who blends classical forms with the rhythms and melodies of other genres. Drawing on diverse musical and literary traditions, Golijov's compositions exhibit a fresh and powerful style. He is on the faculties of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester as well as the Boston Conservatory and the Tanglewood Music Center. In 2003, Golijov received the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

Eric Himy began piano studies at age six, giving his first concert at age 10. He was guest soloist with the Baltimore Symphony at age 15. He studied biochemistry and music at the University of Maryland and went on to receive a Master of Music degree from the Julliard School in New York. He has won numerous competitions and awards, including the Kosciuszko Chopin Prize in New York and top honors in the Milosz Magin International Competition in Paris. Mr. Himy has pursued an intensive concert career in the United States and throughout Europe and South America. He is widely acclaimed for his interpretations of the Spanish and French masters such as Debussy, Poulenc, Ravel and Saint-Saens.

Young American soprano, Elizabeth Keusch is rapidly emerging as an artist to watch. Already firmly established in the new music community, her musical and communication gifts were acknowledged by the press in recent reviews. Of her Boston Symphony Orchestra debut in the American premiere of Golijov’s La Pasión Según San Marcos, Richard Dyer of The Boston Globe, wrote “Elizabeth Keusch was radiant in the two great soprano arias…” And reviewing her performance of the Boston premiere of Judith Weir’s King Harald’s Saga, Keith Powers of the Boston Herald wrote “…Keusch launched into a one-woman operatic set. Singing unaccompanied, she moved from narration to song with striking effect. She is a complete artist, and sang with confidence and strength.”

NSO concerts are presented at the Rashi School Auditorium, 15 Walnut Park, Newton Corner. Tickets are $25 and $20, with a $5 discount for students and seniors over 65. Concerts start at 7:30pm; a pre-concert lecture will be given by Steven Ledbetter at 6:30pm. For tickets and further information, browse this web site or contact the NSO office at 617-965-2555, or by e-mail: [email protected]

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