A Romantic Evening of Symphonic Masterworks

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel | Overture in C Major
Camille Saint-Saëns | Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor
Florence Price | Symphony No. 3 in C Minor

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an exquisite concert of three classical masterworks, including Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s sparkling Overture in C; Florence Price’s soul-stirring Symphony No. 3, which honors the richness of African American musical heritage; and Camille Saint-Saens’ exuberant Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring Juilliard-educated soloist Chaeyoung Park.

Prior to the performance, at 6:30 PM, ticket holders are invited to join MSO Music Director Elizabeth Schulze in the Recital Hal to discuss the works that will be performed during the evening’s concert. Gain insight on Romantic-era composers Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel and Camille Saint-Saëns and pioneering 20th-century composer Florence Price, who was the first African American woman to have been recognized as a symphonic composer and the first to compose for a major American orchestra.

Since its founding in 1982, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s influence and reputation have reached far beyond Western Maryland. Under the baton of Elizabeth Schulze, who was declared by The Washington Post to be “a superb conductor,” MSO has become a first-class orchestra of exceptional artistic quality.

Audience members may opt to enjoy a romantic pre-show Valentine’s Day dinner, which will take place in FSU’s Gira Center, room 397. Menu options include beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian entrées and include salad, dessert and beverage service. A cash bar will be open at 5 p.m. Two seating times will be available at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Performance tickets are $40 for adults; $36 FSU employees and military; $17 for youth under 18; and free for FSU students. The cost for dinner ranges from $27 to $30 per person depending upon selected menu items. For more information, visit ces.frostburg.edu or call 301-687-3137.

The presentation of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra is supported by the Community Trust Foundation’s Iris and Peter Halmos Community Fund and by the FSU Foundation. Community donors to the CES presentation of MSO include Anonymous; Carl Belt, Jr. and Jane A. Belt; Janice S. Keene; Dr. Gregory P. Latta and Teddy A. Latta; MaryJo A. Price; Victor S. Rezendes and John E. Minnich; Nicholas Scarpelli, II and Tama Scarpelli; and the Doug and Betsey Schwab and Family Foundation, Inc. CES is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) and receives financial support from the Allegany Arts Council and the City of Frostburg.