The MSO performing in the Ahwahnee (now Majestic Yosemite) Hotel

April 1, 2019 - Internationally-renowned Dr. Ann Miller will perform Tchaikovsky's beloved Violin Concerto in D Major with the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra twice: in Yosemite National Park on Sunday, April 7 in a free 2:00 P.M. concert and on Saturday, April 6 at 7:00 P.M. in the Fiester Auditorium of Mariposa High School, with tickets now on sale.  The concerto was thought for years to be so difficult as to be unplayable, but in the hands of a masters like Dr. Miller, it's become the most famous violin concerto ever written.  Tchaikovsky was inspired to write the piece after spending a few days playing through various pieces with a violinist friend and following the huge success of his Fourth Symphony's premiere, he feverishly composed his concerto.  Dissatisfied with the original second movement, he replaced it by composing the now-famous "Canzonetta" in only one day.

Besides the Violin Concerto, the MSO under Founding Music Director/Conductor Les Marsden will offer music by Tchaikovsky representing the opposite spectrum of his musical works: extremely rare ones.  But, according to Marsden, "they may be rare, but they've also well-done!"  The orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky's 1866 "Festival Overture on the Danish National Hymn" which, according to Marsden, served as a partial model for the composer's far more famous "1812 Overture" composed 15 years later.  But Tchaikovsky always felt the "Danish" overture was the far superior piece.

Also on the program: a relatively late work written in 1890, just three years before the composer's death: the Prelude to his opera "The Queen of Spades."   Marsden finds it to represent the master at the very height of his creative powers: "in just a few brief minutes, Tchaikovsky establishes all the moods that will be a part of the tragic story of the opera: the power of fate, passion, helplessness, love - all overlaid with the otherworldly mystery that's a crucial part of the story.  This is a remarkable piece of music that penetrates the very soul of the listener."  The concert will also feature one of Tchaikovsky's most famous pieces, but in a version nowadays only very rarely heard: the first (1869) original version of his famed "Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy."

International virtuoso violinist Dr. Ann Miller (pictured) last appeared with the MSO in 2013, performing Brahms' "Double Concerto" with celebrated cellist Ira Lehn.   While the standing-ovation audience was still applauding that performance in Yosemite's Ahwahnee Hotel, Dr. Miller turned to Marsden to express her pleasure at their collaboration and desire to return to play with the MSO again.  Marsden suggested the great Tchaikovsky Concerto and they agreed on the spot.

Ann Miller has appeared in concert halls throughout North America, Europe, and Asia and enjoys a varied career as a chamber musician, soloist, and educator.  She made her New York debut as a soloist with the New Juilliard Ensemble in Alice Tully Hall in the North American premiere of David Matthews’ Concerto No. 2.  She has participated in an exchange program between the Juilliard School and the Lucerne Festival Academy that culminated in performances in Switzerland and New York under the direction of the late Pierre Boulez.  As a recitalist, Ann Miller frequently collaborates with pianist Sonia Leong and their debut album of music by Beaser, Ysaÿe, and Bartók was released in 2015.  An avid chamber musician, Ann Miller is a member of Trio 180; in addition to performing in Canada, Mexico, Maryland, Oregon, and Nevada, the trio has concertized throughout California in such venues as the Mondavi Center, Dinkelspiel Auditorium at Stanford University, and the Center for New Music in San Francisco.  Trio 180 has also performed Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the St. John’s Chamber Orchestra.

Ann Miller is an associate professor of violin at the Conservatory of Music of the University of the Pacific. She holds her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Juilliard School, and she received her Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, from Rice University. Her biographic details may be found here: www.annmillerviolin.com/biography-  (hyphen included in URL.)

The MSO's Spring Concerts 2019 featuring Ann Miller are scheduled for Saturday, April 6 at 7:00 P.M. in the Fiester Auditorium of Mariposa County High School with a matinee performance on Sunday, April 7 at 2:00 P.M. in the Great Lounge of the Majestic Yosemite (Ahwahnee) Hotel in Yosemite National Park.  The Sunday, April 7 Yosemite Concert (only) is free, with seating first-come, first seated.  That concert is made possible by the generous cooperation and assistance of Michael Reynolds – Superintendent of Yosemite National Park, the National Park Service, Yosemite Hospitality – a division of Aramark, Michael Boyer – Manager of the Majestic Yosemite Hotel and the musicians of the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra.
(Pictured above): Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky shown at the four ages spanning his compositions on the MSO concerts from 1866-1890.

Tickets for the MSO’s 7:00 P.M. Saturday, April 6 Spring Concert in Mariposa at the Fiester Auditorium of Mariposa County High School are now available at the following prices: General Admission: $10 Adults, $6 Students.  Special prices for Mariposa County Arts Council Members: $8 Adults, $5 Students.  Tickets may be safely, securely purchased online by visiting http://tinyurl.com/MSOTickets   Tickets are also available in person at the Mariposa County Arts Council’s office and Treetop Gallery on the top floor of the Chocolate Soup store (5009 Highway 140) at the southern entrance to the town of Mariposa.  Call (209) 966-3155 for tickets and information.  The MSO is a program of the Mariposa County Arts Council, Inc.  Information including Marsden's extensive program notes and composer bios/photos for each piece is available at http://tinyurl.com/MariposaSO.

Source: MSO