Pit Stop Players to Present Great Russian Music in ABSOLUT COLLUSION

The Pit Stop Players, the celebrated New York-based instrumental chamber ensemble composed of veteran Broadway pit musicians, will open their eighth season with "ABSOLUT COLLUSION," an all-Russian concert at Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian Church, 152 West 66th Street, on Monday, October 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Regarding the programming, music director Joshua Rosenblum said, "The spirit of Russian collusion seems to be all-pervasive these days. But we decided to make it musical and celebratory, instead of criminal and potentially impeachable. That's why we're going to play some of the greatest music Russia has given the world."

The selections will include: Leonid Desyatnikov's "Sketches to Sunset," Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov's "Procession of the Sardar," the second movement from Prokoviev's Symphony No. 5, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Tsar's Bride Overture," Shostakovich's Jazz Suite No. 1, Grigory Smirnov's "Air," and Stravinsky's "Ragtime for 11 Instruments." The group will also present a special new arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumble Bee," performed by pianist Garah Landes and percussionist Gregory Landes.

Cited by "The New York Times" for their "flair," "spirited readings," and "playfully cohesive programs," "making an hour-long serving of modern works not just palatable but enticing," the Pit Stop Players have taken their place at the cutting edge of New York's cultural landscape, bringing exciting contemporary music to new audiences, and upending conventional assumptions about concert programming.

Founded in 2009 by conductor/composer Joshua Rosenblum, the ensemble is comprised of some of New York's top freelance musicians, commonly regarded as the best instrumentalists in the world. Repertoire includes arrangements and transcriptions of great pieces from the recent past (encompassing numerous genres), as well as undeservedly neglected classical gems, but the primary emphasis is on new compositions that are both challenging and immediately engaging, written and orchestrated specifically for the group by today's most exciting creative talents.

Highlights have included the group's performance of "The Rite of Spring" in a specially-commissioned new chamber arrangement, as well as Rosenblum's own "Young Person's Guide to the Pit Stop Players," with special guest narrator Cynthia Nixon. Last year at Symphony Space, the Players gave a joint performance with the Brooklyn-based dance company The Chase Brock Experience, an artistic collaboration which zealnyc.com described as "perfecting perfection."

The Pit Stop Players, who collectively have played in pit orchestras for over 150 Broadway productions, include Ed Matthew, Steve Kenyon, Rick Heckman, and Don McGeen, woodwinds; Dan Culpepper, horn; Chris Jaudes, trumpet; Wayne Goodman, trombone; Robin Zeh and Suzy Perelman, violins; Denise Stillwell, viola; Peter Sachon, cello; Jeff Carney, bass; Scott Kuney, guitar; Gregory Landes and Andrew Beall, percussion; and Garah Landes, piano.

IF YOU GO:

Pit Stop Players
"ABSOLUT COLLUSION"
Monday, October 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
At Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian Church, 152 W. 66th Street, New York, NY.
Tickets: $25 ($15 for students). tix.smarttix.com/event.ashx?eventcode=abs56C
For more information, visit rosenblummusic.com/pit-stop-players

Below, watch the great Queen song "Killer Queen," transcribed for clarinet, violin, cello and piano, performed by the Pit Stop Players!