December 25, 2024
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Bangor Symphony Orchestra concert to feature candidate for conductor’s post

Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s Jan. 13 Classical Concert, the first of the new year, is the antidote for midwinter chill.

It is also the third in a series of five auditions for a new conductor and music director of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.

Conductor finalist Janna Hymes-Bianchi from Camden will lead the orchestra through Mozart’s “Don Giovanni Overture,” Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4” and Rosetti’s “Horn Concerto No. 4 in F Major.”

Sharing the stage with Hymes-Bianchi will be Bangor Symphony’s own principal French horn player, Scott Burditt, who will solo in the Rosetti horn concerto.

Hymes-Bianchi comes to Maine from Indiana, where for three years she was the associate conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony. Conductors Leonard Bernstein and Gunther Schuller are among her mentors.

She has studied at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival, and lived in Europe as a Fulbright scholar.

Hymes-Bianchi maintains an active conducting schedule throughout the United States and abroad.

In addition to her musical passion, Hymes-Bianchi pursues myriad other interests. An avid collector of American antiques, a love passed on to her by her mother, she and her husband are currently restoring their 1858 home.

She acknowledges what Mainers have known for a long time,

“[Camden] is a wonderful area for antiquing,” she said. Since moving to Maine she is learning some traditional Maine outdoor activities – hiking, kayaking and cross-country skiing.

Hymes-Bianchi’s two other consuming loves are her sons, Evan and Oliver, ages 8 and 4, respectively.

The musician will conduct a program selected by former BSO Music Director and Conductor Christopher Zimmerman.

Burditt’s performance of Rosetti’s “Horn Concerto No. 4 in F Major” pays homage to the composer who paved the way for horn as a melodic instrument.

Burditt explained, “I have been playing the horn concerto for 15 years and it’s a favorite of mine. It has a great range, lyrical melodies and requires some fast technical playing.”

A Hampden resident, Burditt teaches music and leads the band at Bangor High School.

The BSO concert will begin at 3 p.m. at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono.

For those concerned about winter driving, the symphony offers its concert coach, chartered bus transportation from Houlton, Camden, Farmington and Blue Hill, with stops along each route.

Check the Web site, www.bangorsymphony.com, for details, and call (800) 639-3221 or 942-5555 to reserve coach seat and concert tickets. Adult concert tickets start at $10; coach reservations are $12 and $14.


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