Glacier Symphony wraps up season in grand style

Glacier Symphony will conclude its season with "Extreme Romantics" a grand finale set of concerts featuring the popular "Symphonie fantastique" by Hector Berlioz, a commanding score that showcases the power and versatility of the orchestra.

Completing the concert repertoire will be special guest pianist and Whitefish native Robert Satterlee, performing Franz Liszt's fiery and diabolical "Totentanz" along with the "Hungarian Fantasy for piano and orchestra."

Music director John Zoltek will conduct the concerts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, at Flathead High School auditorium in Kalispell.

A free ConcertTalk on the topic of composers Berlioz and Liszt will be presented by Maestro Zoltek 45 minutes prior to each concert at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday and 2:15 p.m. on Sunday.

The autobiographical symphony, written in 1830 when Berlioz was a young composer, is considered to be one of his greatest achievements. Using the late music of Beethoven as his inspirational catalyst, Berlioz reached into musical and psychological realms not explored until the advent of Wagner.

"The extreme emotion of the music is captured in an amazing and truly original orchestral language that is considered far ahead of his time," Zoltek said.

Zoltek describes the Liszt compositions as tone-poem type works for piano and orchestra featuring piano writing that is supremely Liszt, dazzling, tempestuous and technically demanding.

Satterlee is a native of Whitefish, the son of Royce and Ruth Satterlee. He has developed a national reputation as an accomplished and versatile soloist and chamber musician. He plays regularly throughout the United States.

He was appointed in the fall of 1998 to the piano faculty of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, having previously held teaching positions in Illinois, Missouri, California and Connecticut. During the summer he teaches at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. He has been awarded prizes in many competitions, among them honors in the St. Louis Symphony Young Artists Competition.

Satterlee has participated in many music festivals and summer programs, including the Aspen Festival, the Banff Centre, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival and the Festival at Sandpoint. His early training in piano was with Florence Laird in Whitefish, and later Professor Dennis Alexander at the University of Montana. He holds degrees in piano from Yale University, Peabody Conservatory, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.

Individual tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for youth. They are available at: Books West in Kalispell; The Village Shop, Dwyers' Gallery and Montana Coffee Traders-downtown, in Whitefish; Glacier Wallflower in Columbia Falls; ArtFusion in Bigfork; Sliters Ace Hardware in Lakeside; Big Sky Century 21 Realty in Polson; limited tickets at the door.

For more concert information call at 257-3241 ext.1.

Complete details about the 2005-06 season can be found on the GSC website: www.glaciersymphonychorale.org.

May Madness offers reduced season tickets during concert weekend

During the concert weekend patrons will have the opportunity to purchase '06-'07 Season Tickets at a discount in the "May Madness" promotion held in the lobby of the auditorium. "Ticket packages can be purchased for as little as $106 for general admission seating at the seven concerts, held October to May," explains Amy Smith, executive director of GSC. "This promotion has become very popular and offers a substantial discount for concert lovers of all ages." Smith says that order forms can be downloaded from the GSC website and brought to the concerts for processing.

Students invited to attend free concert featuring Robert Satterlee.

Students of the Flathead Valley are invited to attend a free "Wild About Music" youth concert, featuring Robert Satterlee, guest performer with the Glacier Symphony, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 12. The concert will be held at Flathead High School auditorium. Reservations are required as seating is limited for the presentation that is sponsored by the Glacier Symphony and Chorale. Home school students and students of private music teachers are encouraged to attend as well. Contact the GSC office at 257-3241 as soon as possible to secure a seat.

Symphony rush tickets on sale at FVCC

Reduced price rush tickets to Glacier Symphony concert offered Friday, May 12 at FVCC Glacier Symphony will be offering reduced prices on tickets to the next concert, "Extreme Romantics" at Flathead Valley Community College on Friday May 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. All tickets will be $10 during the special two-hour rush period; this is the only time tickets will be offered at this price. The tickets will be sold in the foyer of the student services building, outside the bookstore.

Featured guest artist for the concerts will be Robert Satterlee performing Liszt' "Totentantz" for piano and orchestra and "Hungarian Fantasy." For complete concert information visit the Website www.glaciersymphonychorale.org or call 257-3241 ext. 1.