Saint-Saëns’ Masterpiece Comes to the ASO

Posted Oct 14, 2011 | Press Releases, 

So popular is the Maestoso from Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3, “Organ” that it has been heard in various mainstream films over the past few decades and was even the inspiration for 1970’s pop song “If I Had Words” by Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley.  For those more devoted to the composer’s original vision, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will perform the entire symphony, organ and all, on the evening of Saturday, November 5 at 8:00 pm.

“We have been fielding a lot of inquiries from patrons over the past few months as to whether or not we will actually have an organ for this performance,” said ASO executive director Adrien Finlay.  “I am pleased to announce that yes, we will—the piece just would not be the same without it!”

David Brock, an accomplished solo and collaborative organist, has been tapped for this one-night-only event.  He will be playing an Allen Organ at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, brought in special for this occasion. 

Camille Saint-Saëns dedicated Symphony No. 3 to his friend Franz Liszt, who died shortly after its premiere in 1886. The ASO honors both composers in this concert as the Symphony is joined by world-class pianist and Catholic University professor Thomas Mastroianni performing Liszt’s transcription of Franz Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasy. Mastroianni is well-versed in the works of Liszt, receiving a Medal of the Hungarian Liszt Society in 1992 and currently serving as president of the American Liszt Society.

Saturday, November 5, 2011, 8 p.m.
Kim Allen Kluge, conductor
Thomas Mastroianni, piano
David Brock, organ
SCHUBERT/LISZT: Wanderer Fantasy
                  Thomas Mastroianni, piano
SAINT-SAËNS: Symphony No. 3, “Organ”
                  David Brock, organ

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA

Tickets: start at $35 adult, $30 senior, $10 students and $5 for youth (18 & under).  Join Colleen Fay for a free preconcert chat one hour prior to each performance in the Concert Hall.  Free parking. 703-548-0885.