RIC Symphony Orchestra to Perform One of Most Influential Works of 20th Century – “Rite of Spring” on March 4. Show to Feature Eric Ruske.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island College’s Symphony Orchestra, featuring French horn soloist Eric Ruske, will present the 18th Annual Samuel & Esther Chester Performance Award Concert on Monday, March 4, at 8 p.m. in the Auditorium in Roberts Hall.
Opening the program is Gabriel Fauré’s “Pavanne in F-sharp minor,” Op. 50, a piece originally meant for piano, obtaining its rhythm from Pavane, a slow, processional Spanish court dance. Igor Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring,” recognized as one of the most influential musical works of the 20th century, will be performed by the Symphony for the first time.
Ruske will make his third appearance with the Symphony to perform Mozart’s Concerto No. 4 in E-flat major. He will present a master class for French horn students in the Nazarian Center, Room 198, at noon on the day of the concert.
Ruske currently serves as professor of horn at Boston University and the director of horn seminar at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. An active chamber musician, he has appeared with the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, Boston Chamber Music Society and the Festival Pablo Casals in Puerto Rico and France.
Admission is free thanks to an endowment from Samuel and Esther Chester. The concert is also open to the public.
To aid young artists from New England, the Chesters have endowed the Rhode Island College Foundation with a sum of $50,000 to establish the Chester Performance Award in order to sponsor the winner of the Arthur W. Foote Prize of the Harvard Musical Association, or partially underwrite expenses of an artist of international stature.
