North Shore Philharmonic Begins 65th Season

The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra begins its 65th season on Sunday, November 4, at 3:00 p.m. at Swampscott High School with Music Director Robert Lehmann conducting a far-reaching program that includes the thrilling Symphony No. 2 by Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Tickets are available at the door for $20, $15 for seniors and students, and children 12 and under are admitted free.  Tickets can also be purchased in advance, online at www.nspo.org.

Mr. Lehmann, who has led the Orchestra since 1999,commented that he is excited about the upcoming concert and the Orchestra’s season.  “The Rachmaninoff Symphony—which we like to call “Rocky 2’—is a beautiful work that epitomizes the drama and beauty and texture of the traditional 
Russian symphonic repertoire.  It is mysterious, boisterous, with wonderful melody throughout.  It’s one of those works that is so easy to enjoy listening, whether you’re experienced concert-goer or hearing it for the
first time.”

Featured soloist Rachel Braude will perform Antonio Vivaldi’s lively piccolo concerto. Ms. Braude plays piccolo and flute with the Portland (Maine) Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and Boston Philharmonic.  The New Jersey native has performed across the country and is especially well-known in New England for her flair and range with this challenging instrument. 

The November concert, which marks the beginning of the Orchestra’s 65th consecutive season, also includes Alexander Borodin’s “In the Steppes of Central Asia”, a symphonic poem that  depicts an interaction of Russians and Asians in the steppe lands of the Caucasus.  It is characterized by peaceful, evocative melody and has remained a favorite example of the Symphonic Poem since its first performance in 1880.

The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra plays three subscription concerts at Swampscott High School.  Their Winter program on February
10 includes Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony No 3 and the Dvorak violin concerto, and on April 21 the Spring concert will highlight Music Director    Lehmann on the violin and his wife Kimberly on viola in Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante.

For more information about the NSPO, visit the Orchestra’s website at www.nspo.org.