Orchestra to present The Bravura of Brahms

The Skidmore College Orchestra will perform Brahms' Academic Festival Overture and Symphony No. 2 in D Major at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, in the Arthur Zankel Music Center's Ladd Concert Hall. 

Led by music director Anthony G. Holland, the semi-professional Skidmore Orchestra includes Skidmore students and top players from such regional professional orchestras as the Albany Symphony, Berkshire Symphony, Schenectady Symphony and Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra. 

Brahms' Symphony No. 2 in D Majorfollows the four-movement structure typical of most symphonies.The Second Symphony's genial, outgoing character helps set it apart from Brahms's three other symphonies; this is the one understandably regarded as his "pastoral" symphony, and it the most directly endearing of the four, according to Holland.

Brahms' Academic Festival Overture shows the composer's lighter side in a fun medley of rowdy student songs. The composer's solid structure and his massive orchestral forces bring the jolly student songs to dazzling life.

Holland, currently president-elect of the national College Orchestra Directors Association, has been conducting the Skidmore College Orchestra since it was founded in 1982. He has conducted ensembles throughout the United States and Europe and has recorded with Albany Records.  He made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 1990 with the El Camino Symphony."It is a great honor to conduct this amazing music by Johannes Brahms. His symphonic writing holds a very unique place in music literature. The Skidmore Orchestra celebrates its 30th concert season this year, so we are just delighted to step up to the repertoire of this great romantic composer.  The melodies are unforgettable and delightful from start to finish," said Holland.

Admission for the Oct. 28, 8 p.m. orchestra concert is free for Skidmore students, $7 general admission, $5 seniors, and $3 non-Skidmore students. For advance reservations click here or call the Zankel box office (518) 580-8381 for more information. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired. For more information, please click here.