World Renowned Piano Prodigy Yuja Wang Joins GBS for One Special Night

Piano sensation Yuja Wang, known worldwide for her artistry and electric performances, is coming to the Greater Bridgeport Symphony for All Of You On The Good Earth on Saturday, December 8 at the Klein. "This is the biggest cultural event to come to our region in recent years!" said GBS President Jean Moffitt. "We've been hoping for this for a long time," adds GBS Conductor Eric Jacobsen, "and now the dream is coming true. The orchestra is so excited to have this incredible artist with us."

The Beijing-born virtuoso is one of the most unique and brilliant piano players in the world, known for her one-of-a-kind performances as well as her fashion-forward style. The Economist says she is "...now at the height of her powers...technically brilliant and entertaining, so applause for her performances is seldom reserved. Her encores are almost as celebrated as her repertoires..." The Financial Times hails "Her combination of technical ease, colouristic range and sheer power has always been remarkable ... but these days there is an ever-greater depth to her musicianship, drawing you into the world of each composer with compelling immediacy." Vogue(UK) says she, "...is revered by fellow musicians, critics and audiences alike for her astounding command of the instrument, her 'superhuman' technical abilities, and her captivating, charismatic performances."

Ms. Wang will perform Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor, a musical love story Schumann wrote for his wife Clara. The music describes a struggle between enthusiasm and dreaminess, yearning and contentment, loyalty and freedom. It maintains a character of fantasy, leading to an exuberant finale.

Also, on the program are Debussy's famous Clair de lune (in keeping with GBS' theme of "A Season in Space") and Grieg's In Holberg's Time, interspersed such holiday classics as Bizet's Farandole from L'Arlesienne Suite #2 (popularly known as This Great Day or March of the Kings) and Silent Night.

This third concert of the season is but one of many exciting events. In September, GBS hosted the renowned violinist Colin Jacobsen, and in November presented 19thcentury classics of Bruch and Sibelius, contrasted with very new work of Mason Bates and Jordan Kuspa. On March 16, the Fairfield County Children's Choir will join GBS on Vivaldi's Gloria, actor Keir Dullea of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame will introduce Strauss' Beautiful Blue Danube, and spring will be dramatically announced by Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Capping off the season on April 13, famed violinist Gil Shaham will perform Stamford-born composer David Bruce's Fragile Light; the evening will also include the full suite of Holst's The Planets and a new arrangement of the Beatles' Across the Universe, with the Harding High School Choir of Bridgeport.

GBS will also perform with Cirque Musica Holiday the day after the Yuja Wang concert, December 9, at the Arena at HarborYard in Bridgeport, in their production of "Wonderland."

All Of You On The Good Earth begins at 8:00pm at The Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport. Tickets are $15 - $29 - $39 - $49 - $59 and may be purchased online at www.GBS.org. Family groups get $10 admission for kids under 19 (any seat) and a 15% discount for accompanying adults (ticketing charges apply to all sales) - "a family of five for as little as $55.50!" Subscriptions and group rates are available by calling (203)576-0263.

For tickets or more information, please visit www.GBS.org.

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