Mephisto Waltz

The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, under the baton of Music Director Marietta Cheng, will perform "Mephisto Waltz," a concert of classical music at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 8 at the Corning Museum of Glass. This is the last concert in a season called "Magical Mozart," devoted to the breathtaking music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Program: Overture to The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner

Piano Concerto by Aram Khachaturian Adam Neiman, Piano Symphony No. 36, "Linz" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Mephisto Waltz No. 1, "Dance in the Village Inn" by Franz Liszt

Tickets: Call (607) 734-8191 or visit www.OSFL.org $25 for adults, $5 for students

One Symphony - P.D.Q. Mozart composed his 36th symphony in only four days. The symphony was scheduled to be performed by Count Thun's orchestra in Linz on November 4th 1783. Mozart arrived in Linz on October 30th at 9 a.m. He had not yet written a single note for the symphony. Despite the short time period in which to compose it, the symphony is an amazing work. Musicologist Michael Steinberg calls it "Grandly inventive." And it surely is.

The Flying Dutchman Der Flegende Höllander (The Flying Dutchman) is the most influential of Wagner's early works. Wagner himself cited it as a major turning point in his career. The opera's storyline follows a ghostly sea captain, condemned to wander the seas endlessly, searching for true love. As one of the opera world's most recognizable works, its theme is set with darkly triumphant French Horn calls and stormy string passages that swell like torrential waves.

Adam Neiman, Pianist 22-year-old pianistic wunderkind Adam Neiman began his career at age eight as a traveling virtuoso. His career has taken off since winning the young concert artists (YCA) auditions in 1996. In 1999 he received the Avery Fischer Career Grant and recently was the subject of a public television documentary, along with fellow YCA member Mayuko Kamio. Neiman is also a skilled composer and has performed many of his own pieces, such as his Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello, which was debuted at the Seattle chamber music festival in 1998. He has also composed a piano concerto and a concertino for violin and orchestra. "What makes Adam Neiman a genuine rarity is that he plays with imagination and authority, not just an extra helping of technique. He was clearly born to be a pianist, and is carrying out a destiny written in his genes." -The Chicago Tribune

Red Carnation Night On May 8th, at the final concert of the 2003-04 season, the Orchestra hosts Red Carnation Night. At this annual event, new and rejoining subscribers receive red carnations as symbols of their commitment. Those interested in season tickets for the 2004-05 season should call (607) 936- 2873.

Established in 1996 and conducted by Music Director Marietta Cheng, the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes is the principal ensemble of Corning-Elmira Musical Arts, Inc. (CEMA). CEMA serves New York's Southern Tier communities through extraordinary musical programs and educational offerings. CEMA was established in 1996 through a consolidation of the Corning Philharmonic Society and the Elmira Symphony and Choral Society. The organization now comprises more than 150 musicians in its Chorus, Professional Orchestra, and Youth Orchestra.