There is Much to Celebrate in Paul Dykstra’s Upcoming Classical Performance
“If you hold onto the beauty and inspiration and the clarity that is music, you will have an anchor, you will not be too far swayed by what the world is.” – Van Cliburn
On Friday, October 20, Paul Dykstra and the Great Bay Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No 1, made famous by Van Cliburn’s win over the Russians. The celebration does not end there, as the event is also the inaugural performance of the Great Bay Philharmonic!
The event falls on the 60th anniversary of Van Cliburn’s historic victory in Moscow at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958. At the height of the Cold War, Cliburn won the inaugural competition (more on the importance of this event in our previous blog). He returned to the United States to a ticker-tape parade, which was the first and only time a classical musician has received this honor, and we have honored him ever since. As the Cliburn.org site elegantly states, “Van Cliburn’s unique legacy of demonstrating how classical music, in the hands of a master, has the appeal to reach across all borders.”
“The celebration of Van Cliburn’s prestigious win at the Tchaikovsky competition in 1958 is still celebrated because it was an example of art bringing opposing cultures together during the Cold War, and also an affirmation of the quality of musicians that America has, and continues to produce,” says pianist Paul Dykstra. “The fact that an American won the competition, playing this distinctly Russian music, in Russia, cannot fail to be significant and shows that the language of great music is, indeed, universal, its qualities there for all to see when artists of any nationality interpret it with vision and integrity.”
This year, October 20th will mark the first performance by the new Great Bay Philharmonic Orchestra, which is comprised of some of the finest musicians in New England. The highly anticipated event includes musicians from New Hampshire, Maine, Boston and elsewhere in New England. Some have toured throughout Europe and hold high-level degrees from leading universities in New England. The audience may compare them to the caliber of Portland Symphony, Rhode Island Symphony or Boston Symphony. In fact, you may not be able to tell the difference between this orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Under the direction of David Upham, the concert will also feature Rossini’s The Barber of Seville Overture and Bizet’s Symphony in C Major.
This concert is presented by our Rental Partner, David Wold Associates, and with thanks to generous sponsors: The Closet Connection; the LaPorta Family; Tom Lavoie Photography; Darrell’s Music Hall – Nashua “The Piano People since 1969;” Evolve Senior Living at Rye, “Assisted Living Memory Care & Compassion;” Demeters Steakhouse; Granite State Pathology Assistance, LLC; PARMA Music Festival; Lisa and Frank Pampreen and Family; and Pike’s Kids—Peace, Love & Music.
Join us on October 20th for this remarkable twofold celebration. Tickets are still available. Get your tickets now here at TheMusicHall.org, over the phone at 603.436.2400, or in person at the B2W Box Office at 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth.