January 22, 2007
The Maryland Symphony Orchestra Features Area Debut of Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3 at “Fanfare for the Common Man” MasterWorks Concert

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Elizabeth Schulze will perform the area debut of American composer Aaron Copland’s powerful Symphony No. 3 on February 10 at 8:00 pm and February 11 at 3:00 pm at the historic Maryland Theater in downtown Hagerstown. In the event of inclement weather, the snow date will be Monday, February 12. The concert, entitled “Fanfare for the Common Man” in honor of the 3rd Symphony’s most popular movement, is part of the MSO’s 2006-2007 Masterworks Series. The sweeping emotion of the Symphony is matched by the haunting beauty of its companion piece, Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 performed by highly-acclaimed cellist William DeRosa.

Proclaimed “One of the most brilliant cello talents in the world,” William DeRosa has established himself as one of the leading American cellists of his generation. Melding distinctive artistry, profound musicianship and exquisite tone, DeRosa has appeared with numerous orchestras including the Los Angeles and Florida Philharmonics, the Symphony Orchestras of Milwaukee, Utah, and San Francisco and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. As recitalist, he has performed in major music centers in the United States including Washington, DC's Kennedy Center, the

Music Center in Los Angeles, Chicago's Orchestra Hall, Boston's Jordan Hall and Jones Hall in Houston. DeRosa is also an active chamber musician, performing with many of the world's leading ensembles including the Artis, Emerson and Cleveland quartets. His festival appearances have taken him to Aspen, Marlboro and Seattle, as well as Europe and at sea. DeRosa has regularly performed on the National Public Radio, and been the subject of documentaries and television specials broadcast on PBS and CBS.

The release of a live recording of the Shostakovich 1st concerto from DeRosa’s tour of Russia with the Ekaterinburg Philharmonic Orchestra was listed on Stereophile Magazine's "Ten Best Recordings" of 1997 and declared a "record to die for." His other recordings include a CD of sonatas for cello and piano by Brahms, Strauss and Schumann, the chamber music of Rachmaninoff, "Cellist Holiday," featuring short works for cello and piano, and a compilation album entitled "Cellist Forever."

An avid champion of contemporary music, DeRosa gave the New York premiere of avant-garde composer David Amram’s Variations on a Theme of Sitting Bull. Beloved by Asian audiences, DeRosa has performed in Taiwan, Beijing, Shanghai, and in virtually all of Japan's major music venues.

Born into a family of generations of musicians, DeRosa began his musical studies with Eleanor Schoenfeld in Los Angeles, whose influence continues to inspire and inform DeRosa's work. After capturing first prize in the Young Musicians Foundation Piatagorsky Award, DeRosa entered the Juilliard School where he continued his studies with Leonard Rose and Lynn Harrell.

Mr. DeRosa performs on a rare and pristine cello crafted by Domenico Montagnana, Venice 1739.

Gold Sponsors for “Fanfare for the Common Man” are Hugh and Marty Talton. Conductor’s Circle Sponsors are Anonymous, Blue Ridge Anesthesia Associates, LLC, Robert Brooks & Karen Midthun, Dr. & Mrs. Robert J. Cirincione, Edward W. Ditto, III, M.D., Dr. & Mrs. Jay B. Greenberg, Hagerstown Heart, P.A., Dr. & Mrs. Eldon Hawbaker, Dr. Aryeh L. Herrera, John H. Hornbaker, Jr., M.D., Dr. & Mrs. Frederic H. Kass, III, Drs. Newby, Dempsher, Mire & O’Donoghue, Dr. & Mrs. Neil O’Malley, Dr. & Mrs. Eli Roza, Dr. Tara A. Rumbarger & Dr. James A. Schiro, Dr. & Mrs. Stephen M. Sachs, David & Suzanne Solberg, and Drs. Paul C. Waldman & Mary E. Money. The Maryland Symphony Orchestra is also supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of Maryland and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ticket prices for the February 10 and 11 performances range from $21 to $79 and are available at the MSO Box Office at 30 West Washington Street in downtown Hagerstown, or at 301-797-4000. Student and group discounts are available.