Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WSO) announces the final concert of its chamber orchestra series, The Elizabeth Stifel Kline Foundation presents SoundBites Vol. III: Musician Takeover “Concerto Edition”. The event will be held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on Sunday, April 24, 2022, with the brunch performance beginning at 1:30 pm.
The final concert of the WSO’s 2021-22 SoundBites series will take place at the historic Scottish Rite Cathedral in downtown Wheeling on April 24, 2022, at 1:30 pm. The orchestra will be conducted by Maestro John Devlin and feature four of the WSO’s principal musicians – Jeff Mangone, Bass; Juan Jaramillo, Violin; Jennifer Gerhard Mangone, Viola, and John Winkler, Trumpet. The music will be paired with an enticing three-course brunch prepared by Adam Luiso, Executive Chef of Roxby Development. Members of the Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra will be joining the orchestra for a side-by-side performance of Smetana’s The Moldau.
Since taking the artistic helm of the WSO in 2019, Music Director John Devlin has made it a priority to highlight the musicians of the Wheeling Symphony. “Last year, several of our musicians had an opportunity to take center stage in chamber music performances with our inaugural version of ‘Musician Takeover.’ For this year’s version of the ‘Takeover,’ four of our musicians will step out in front of the orchestra to play their favorite concertos while the audience dines on a meal inspired by their favorite foods. I’m really proud to say that all of our principal musicians have played a solo selection with the orchestra during my tenure.”
Four WSO musicians will be featured as soloists for Musician Takeover: ‘Concerto Edition” and three of them had a hand in selecting the repertoire for the concert. Jeff Mangone, the WSO’s Principal Bass, selected the Dittersdorf Sinfonia Concertante on which he and his wife, Jennifer Gerhard Mangone, Principal Viola, will be featured soloists. “This Dittersdorf piece is very charming and will work well in the Scottish Rite Temple. It uses a very small orchestra which means that every note of the two solo voices will be easy for the audience to hear,” says Jeff Mangone. “It gives Jennifer and me a chance to play this piece again with a great orchestra and a great conductor.”
Juan Jaramillo, Principal Second Violin, will be the featured soloist on two pieces, Mozart’s Rondo in B-flat Major and E. Diz’s arrangement of Vittorio Monti’s Czardas, a well-known folkloric piece based on a Hungarian folk dance. “The Mozart Rondo has been recorded many times and is commonly used as an encore but is seldom performed as a featured piece,” says Jaramillo. “This will be my first time performing this piece and I look forward to either introducing it to audience members for the first time or presenting it live to those who have heard it before.”
John Winkler, the WSO’s Principal Trumpet, will be the solo performer on Michael Rondeau’s arrangement of Torelli’s: Sonata in D for Trumpet, Strings, and Continuo. According to Winkler, “During the Baroque Period (roughly from 1600 to 1750) trumpet players developed a new skill called clarino playing. This ability of playing the valveless Baroque trumpet in the very highest harmonic partials on the instrument made it possible for skilled players to play melodic solo music. Many famous composers wrote for this new skill including Giuseppi Torelli who is credited as the developer of the Baroque instrumental concerto, and was the most prolific writer in the Baroque period for solo trumpet.” For the “Musician Takeover” concert, Winkler will be performing the piece on a modern piccolo trumpet.
The Wheeling Symphony Youth Orchestra will collaborate with the WSO’s professional musicians in a “side-by-side” performance of Smetana’s The Moldau. “Music Education is an important part of the WSO’s mission and our youth ensembles are evidence of our commitment,” says Executive Director Bryan Braunlich. “Each season, we provide opportunities for our young musicians to learn from our orchestra members through coaching and master classes which culminate in side-by-side performances like the one that will be featured on this program. It will be a great experience for our WSYO members and a proud moment for their families.”
In addition to a sensational orchestral program, SoundBites patrons will be treated to an enticing brunch menu meticulously planned by Chef Adam Luiso with input from the four WSO soloists. The three-course meal will begin with a smoked salmon quiche and a side salad with lemon vinaigrette, continue with the main course of Ropa Vieja with arepas, and end with assorted mini desserts, including mini flan. Patrons will also enjoy a signature brunch cocktail.
Tickets to SoundBites: Musician Takeover “Concerto Edition” are $45. In addition to the concert, cocktail, and meal, patrons will have access to a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (304) 232-6191, via email at boxoffice@wheelingsymphony.com, or in person at the Box Office, located at 1025 Main Street, Suite 811, Wheeling, WV 26003.
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