SFA's Orchestra of the Pines to perform majestic works of Bartók, Berlioz

Yong-Ha Jung, a junior at Flower Mound High School and the first-place winner of the 2017 Schmidbauer Young Artist Competition at SFA, will be a featured soloist when the Orchestra of the Pines performs at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Orchestra of the Pines at Stephen F. Austin State University will present the program "Bartók and Berlioz" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.

The title signifies the "magnitude of the two composers whose works are to be performed," according to Gene H. Moon, director of orchestras at SFA. The program includes two "firsts" in the history of the SFA Orchestra of the Pines.

A performance of Hungarian composer Béla Bartók's Viola Concerto will feature soloist and first-prize winner in the 2017 Schmidbauer Young Artist Competition, Yong-Ha Jung, a junior at Flower Mound High School.

"Yong-Ha endeared the audience and captured first prize in the coveted Schmidbauer Competition," Moon said. In addition to securing a $2,000 grand prize, Yong-Ha will be the first violist in competition history to perform as guest soloist.

Yong-Ha has participated in numerous competitions, such as the Vernell Gregg Young Artists Competition (second place, junior division), Juanita Miller Concerto Competition (finalist), MTNA Competition (national finalist), Lynn Harrell Concerto competition (finalist), Dallas Music Festival (second place), and the GDYO Concerto Competition (first place). In addition, Yong-Ha placed third as a freshman and first chair as a sophomore at the TMEA All State convention. Not only is he a talented musician, but also a well-rounded student, ranking among the top 10 percent of his class at Flower Mound High School.

Capping the 2016-17 orchestra season, the Orchestra of the Pines will perform Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, or Fantastic Symphony.

"No small task for an orchestra, this performance will be the first time the orchestra has presented Berlioz's enigmatic and well-adored work," Moon said. "In the span of 55 minutes, Berlioz puts into music what the heart yearns for, captures and, just as quickly, loses when in pursuit of true love."

Berlioz describes the work as "an episode in the life of an artist, in five parts." Fixated upon a woman, Berlioz inscribes her into the work with the use of a musical invention called the "idée fixe," known today as one's theme music, Moon explained.

"The musical motif permeates throughout all five movements in a variety of disguises," he said, "showing itself lovingly and mockingly, seducing and luring the artist to all ends of imagination."

Guest speaker Dr. Jamie Weaver, associate professor of musicology, will give a short presentation before the performance of the Fantastic Symphony.

"Berlioz's work is a hallmark in the development of the symphony and one that comes very close to the amazing task of matching the symphonic majesty of Beethoven," Moon said.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.