WEST TEXAS SYMPHONY OPENS 63^RD SEASON WITH CHOPIN
 
West Texas Symphony’s 63rd season opens on September 6^th at the world-class Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center! The concert, titled KEY COLLABORATIONS, takes place at 7:30pm featuring works for orchestra and piano.
 
“We are excited to welcome renowned pianist, Fei-Fei, who appears by arrangement of the Cliburn Agency! Mark your calendar for this premier event with music that will entice seasoned symphony patrons and newcomers alike!” said Ethan Wills, Executive Director.
 
The night begins with Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout. This contemporary piece was written in 2020, and it a celebratory anthem written for the front line workers during the pandemic.
 
Featured pianist, Fei-Fei, has performed world-wide for variety of audiences as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and advocate for community engagement. She will dazzle audiences with Frédéric Chopin’s Paino Concert No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21. Her engaging and endearing personality shines through in every note! Fei-Fei was featured prominently as a Cliburn finalist in the documentary film, Virtuosity, about the 2013 Cliburn Competition, which premiered on PBS in August 2015. Deeply committed to sharing her joy for music and connecting with communities, Fei-Fei frequently engages students and community audiences through school and outreach concerts and masterclasses. Born in Shenzhen, Fei-Fei began piano lessons at the age of 5. She is a graduate of The Juilliard School where she studied with Dr. Yoheved Kaplinsky and is currently pursing Doctoral of Musical Arts degree with pianist Yefim Bronfman at Manhattan School of Music. Fei-Fei is also a member of the piano faculty at John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University and teaching associate to Yefim Bronfman at Manhattan School of Music.

The evening’s finale showcases the orchestra’s artistry with Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations. This monumental work was created during a night of improvising at the composer’s home. It’s a set of fourteen orchestral movements based on an original theme, with each variation representing a different friend of the composer. Elgar said of the piece “The Enigma itself I will not explain—its ‘dark saying’ must be left unguessed, and I warn you that the apparent connection between the Variations and the Theme is often the slightest texture; further, through and over the whole set another and larger theme ‘goes,’ but is not played. . . So the principal Theme never appears.” Much as been speculated about the “enigma” of the piece, but a conclusive answer has never been found.
 
Don’t miss this night of incredible symphonic music! Tickets are $12 - $83 and can be purchased at WTXS.ORG or by calling 800-514-3849. Student tickets are just $12 with a paying adult or valid college ID. For a limited time, patrons can subscribe to the Grand Series, which includes all 7 mainstage concerts, and SAVE 50% off the cost of purchasing each concert individually! It’s the absolute best deal of the season!

Patrons are also invited to experience Symphony SoundBites, a pre-concert dinner held before the performance in the Rea-Greathouse Recital Hall at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. By purchasing a ticket to this catered event, patrons will enjoy dining with friends as Maestro Gary Lewis provides an insider’s view of the evening’s program. Seating is limited. Tickets may be purchased for $30 each by calling the Wagner Noël Box Office at 432-552-4437. Deadline to purchase SoundBites tickets is Friday, August 29th.

KEY COLLABORATIONS is generously sponsored by Saulsbury, Midland Symphony Guild, Odessa Symphony Guild, Cliffy & BJ Beal, Kay Bird, Sigrid & Richard Coats, Jeannine & Robin Donnelly, Julie Edwards, Sharon & Bobby Floyd, Ann & Ken Hankins, Jr., Kris & Cheri Howard, Vickie Hurt, Dr. & Mrs. Ronald & Teresa Ingram, Douglas Scharbauer, Helen & Sam Sledge. For more information on West Texas Symphony events, please visit WTXS.ORG.