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Maestro Ponti Previews Paducah Symphony's Rachmaninoff Concert

Paducah Symphony Orchestra Maestro Raffaele Ponti conducts "Rachmaninoff's 2nd Symphony" at the Carson Center, February 1.

The performance features Paul Creston's "Dance Overture op.62, Robert Smith's Rites of Tamburo in a side-by-side performance with the youth orchestra and Sergei Rachmaninoff's Symphony No.2. Kate speaks with Ponti about the selection and other activities happening through PSO.

Italian American composer Paul Creston'sDance Overture, op.62 - combines romanticisms of dance forms with a Floridian flourish: Spanish bolero, English country-dance, followed by French loure and ending in climactic American square-dance.

Conductor, educator and clinician Robert Smith's Rites of Tamburo was composed in 1999 as a piece for a young concert ensemble. The introduction features bells and chimes in a flowing rhythm, while the horn and flute weave in between the tones. After the introduction, energetic woodwinds establish a new tempo, built up by brass chords, and a comfortable groove.

Sergei Rachmaninoff is considered one of the last connections between 19th century romanticism and the modern era. His Symphony No.2 was composed after terrible reviews from his first symphony, and a long battle with depression. No.2 premiered in St. Petersberg in 1908 and was met with thunderous applause.

See more about these pieces and how to get tickets for the PSO performance.

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