Hawaii Symphony Orchestra Presents Pearl Harbor 75th Annual Commemoration Concert

The Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:30 pm. This performance is not only intended to remember those who served and died in the attack, but to salute the remaining survivors and all who have served in the armed forces. Maestro Rob Fisher, Tony and Grammy-recognized for his work with the New York Philharmonic and the New York Shakespeare Festival will lead the HSO in a patriotic program that includes Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and John Williams' "Hymn to the Fallen" from the film Saving Private Ryan.

The 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor will be recognized across the islands in December and the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra, which carries on the legacy of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra has taken the opportunity to present a concert that not only captures the somber significance of the events that took place, but celebrates those who persevered and survived. The Honolulu Symphony was active prior to and during World War II and this commemoration concert is a nod to the history that we all share and continue to recognize.

Thanks to the City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii National Bank, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and JN Automotive whose sponsorship make this concert possible. All ages are welcome to experience this one-hour event. In addition to music from Copland, John Williams, Barber, and Gould; Dvorak's "Goin Home" Largo from New World Symphony will also be performed. Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, which was composed while he was in America and first performed by the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall in December 1893, is defined by a haunting English horn solo and filled with longing and nostalgia.

About Rob Fisher: Rob Fisher is an internationally recognized music director, conductor and pianist, and a leading figure in American music and musical theatre. He has been a guest of virtually every major orchestra in the country as conductor or pianist.

With the New York Philharmonic, he has conducted the acclaimed concert versions of Carousel and My Fair Lady as well as Mr. Keillor at 70. Other recent highlights include debuts with the Boston and Chicago Symphonies and appearances with the Philadelphia and Cleveland orchestras, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the San Francisco, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and National symphonies. At Carnegie Hall with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, he led gala performances of Guys and Dolls and The Sound of Music. He conducted The New York Pops on many occasions, sharing concerts with the late Skitch Henderson. As a pianist, Fisher has been soloist for Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F with orchestras across the country.

In addition to collaborating in concert with such artists as Renée Fleming, Kristin Chenoweth, Kelli O'Hara, Victoria Clark, Idina Menzel, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and David Hyde Pierce, he has conducted Patti LuPone's engagements with the Pacific, Phoenix, Atlanta, Fort Worth, and Chicago symphonies. He conducted the San Francisco Symphony in the Emmy-winning concert production of Sweeney Todd starring Patti LuPone and George Hearn. At the Chicago Lyric Opera, he led the record-breaking production of The Sound of Music.

Fisher was founding music director and conductor of the New York City Center Encores! series from its inception in 1994 until 2005. The series earned a 2000 Tony Award, and in 1997, Fisher was given the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Special Achievement. He continues to be a regular guest music director for the series. Fisher has made numerous recordings for Encores!, including the Grammy Award-winning Chicago cast album. He is supervising music director for Chicago productions worldwide, and adapted and arranged the score for the current Broadway production of An American in Paris.

Fisher was music director for the New York Shakespeare Festival's revival of Hair in Central Park, and was music supervisor for its Tony-winning run on Broadway. He served as music supervisor for the recent Tony-winning Broadway revival of Anything Goes. His Carousel with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall was broadcast on PBS Live From Lincoln Center and earned him an Emmy nomination.

For four seasons, Fisher was music director for Garrison Keillor's "American Radio Company," and remains a frequent guest on "A Prairie Home Companion." A native Virginian, he lives in Manhattan and upstate New York.

Event Details: This one-hour concert begins at 7:30 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Admission is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 6:30 pm/ Parking is free and the event takes place on the same evening as the Honolulu Farmer's Market which is held from 4-7 pm.

The Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra was founded in 2011 and made its debut in 2012. The new HSO carries on the legacy of the Honolulu Symphony, which was founded in 1900 and performed for more than a century. The orchestra employs 84 professional musicians and presents classical masterworks, pops, educational and community programs.

The mission of the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra is to present the highest-quality performances of great music, bringing national and international distinction to the orchestra and its community; to delight and educate audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and enhance the cultural vitality and quality of life in these Islands; and to operate in a financially sound manner.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.HawaiiSymphonyOrchestra.org. Share your Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra experience with the #HiSymphony hashtag on Twitter and Instagram @HawaiiSymphonyOrchestra

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