April 5, 2010
Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s 28th Season Comes to a Close with Concerts featuring Concertmaster Robert Martin

Hagerstown, MD—The Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s MasterWorks Series comes to a dramatic close with Magnificent Mahler on Saturday, April 24 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 25 at 3:00 p.m. in the historic Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown. 

Concertmaster Robert Martin will be featured as a soloist in what some consider to be one of the most heavenly, celestial pieces ever written for the violin, Beethoven’s Romance No. 2 in F.  The MSO will also perform Weber’s Overture to Euryanthe and Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp.

“This final concert signifies an arrival at an artistic moment where the orchestra is now taking on some of the most important and challenging music in the orchestral repertoire,” says Music Director Elizabeth Schulze.   “Musicians look to the Mahler Symphony as the ultimate experience to play and to really delve into” adds Schulze.  “And for audiences, this is a wealth of riches, a wealth of emotional experiences and an opportunity to hear one of the great voices of the early 20th Century.” 

Martin, a native of the Philadelphia area, began his violin studies at age three with Rochelle Walton, a teaching assistant to famed pedagogue Ivan Galamian.  He later studied with Julian Meyer and Sylvia Ahramjian at Temple University’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians.  At age 13 Rob made his solo debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra as winner of the Albert M. Greenfield competition.  He went on to study with Zvi Zeitlin at the Eastman School of Music, where he served as Concertmaster of the Eastman Philharmonia and performed regularly with Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.  He has been a resident artist at the Bravo! Vail Valley, Skaneateles and Vermont Music Festivals and studied at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, CA.   Martin also serves as Principal 2nd Violin in the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. 

At concert venues Martin has performed with a long list of touring artists including Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters, Barry Manilow, Elvis Costello, Patti LaBelle, Josh Groban, Luciana Pavarotti and k.d. lang.  As an active studio musician, he has recorded for Warner Bros. Pictures, NFL Films and for the Sony, Atlantic, RCA, Island/Def Jam and Geffen record labels.

Program notes and audio clips of the musical selections being performed are available at www.marylandsymphony.org by clicking on the Audio Program Notes on the Performance page.  Music Director Elizabeth Schulze is also featured on a video podcast entitled “Elizabeth’s Insights.”   All ticket holders are welcome to attend Prelude which takes place one hour before each concert when Schulze and the guest artist share information on featured composers and their works that will enhance concert-goers enjoyment and appreciation of the concert. 

Tickets, starting at $22, may be purchased online at www.marylandsymphony.org or by calling 301-797-4000.  Student rush tickets (no reservations accepted) are also available at the box office beginning 90 minutes before each performance for $5.00.  Seat selection will be at the discretion of the box office personnel. 

The Silver Baton Sponsors are Larry & Kelli Guillard and Barbara & Tom Henderson.  Conductor’s Circle Sponsors are April L. Dowler & John W. League; Mr. & Mrs. John E. Unger, Jr.; Electromet Corporation; Maryland Public Television, Mercedes-Benz of Hagerstown and Premier Catering by Bagel-Lisious.  Marlaina Miller of American General Life & Accident Insurance Co. has also made a generous contribution to provide free tickets to all area students (first through twelfth grade) for this concert. 

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra is also supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. 

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra is the area’s premier professional orchestra, dedicated to providing musical performances that educate and entertain, while enhancing the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the surrounding region.