CLASSICAL CONCERT TO FEATURE DAVIES' TRIBUTE TO "TACKINESS" OF LAS VEGAS
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Portland, Ore. … Diverse works by notable 20th century English composers and Dvoràk's Symphony No. 8 will be featured in an Oregon Symphony Classical concert conducted by Associate Conductor Norman Leyden with guest cellist Mark Kosower Jan. 19 through 21 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

In addition to Dvoràk's Symphony No. 8, Leyden will conduct Maxwell Davies' lighthearted and comical "Mavis in Las Vegas," satirizing the sights and sounds of Las Vegas. According to the Boston Globe, "Maxwell Davies writes with great musical and orchestrational ingenuity; he doesn't compromise his standards when writing light music. The piece is easy to follow, and often deliciously witty, as when Liberace takes flight. It is also a complex but genuine tribute to tackiness, a quality it neither overvalues nor underrates."

In celebration of the William Walton centennial, the orchestra will perform Walton's Cello Concerto with guest cellist Mark Kosower. One of America's young cello soloists, Kosower began his performance career at the age of 4 when he started a 10-year association with the Dolce Trio. At the age of 7 he began performing concertos with symphony orchestras. Since then Kosower has appeared as soloist with the symphonies of Houston, Detroit, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Milwaukee and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and given numerous solo recitals.

In addition to pre-concert talks one hour before the concert, Oregon Symphony Classical concerts regularly include additional opportunities for listeners to learn more about the music and the orchestra. These activities include:

Saturday: The conductor of each series will discuss the program from the podium in "Symphony Interactive." Media support for "Symphony Interactive" is provided by KINKfm102.
Sunday: Audience members will be invited to stay for a 15-20 minute panel discussion with musicians and/or the conductor. Media support for "Sunday Night Post-Concert Discussion" is provided by KBPS.

Performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 19 and 20, at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 21, at 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from $15 to $70 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (503-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.

Mark Kosower

Mark Kosower is quickly becoming one of the most accomplished and notable young cellists in the United States. He recently gave debut recitals at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. and at the Frick Collection in New York. Among his engagements for the 2000-2001 season, Mr. Kosower will make his debut with the Detroit Symphony and make a return appearance with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Mr. Kosower has given hundreds of concerts throughout the United States including chamber music concerts, solo recitals, and solo appearances with orchestras. Recently, he appeared as soloist with the symphonies of Houston, Detroit, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Milwaukee, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He has given numerous solo recitals including performances in Chicago, Cincinnati, New York, Milwaukee, San Francisco, St. Paul, Washington DC, at the Aspen Music Festival, and on Ravinia's "Rising Star Series." Mr. Kosower has performed in Europe and Mexico as well, including recent performances at the Kronberg Cello Festival and at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, Germany. Many of his performances have been broadcast over regional public radio stations as well as on National Public Radio.

Mr. Kosower has won many awards including Grand Prize in the Seventh Irving Klein International String Competition where he became the first winner in the competition's history to gain a unanimous vote by the nine judges. In 1994, Mr. Kosower won the prestigious WAMSO Young Artist Competition where he was again the unanimous winner of the Grand Prize. Mr. Kosower is only the third person to have been chosen for this award by the Music Director of the Minnesota Orchestra in 38 years.

Mr. Kosower's performance career began at the age of 4 when he started a 10-year association with the Dolce Trio. At the age of seven he began performing concerti with symphony orchestras. In 1984, the Trio was a guest artist ensemble at the Second American Cello Congress and performed at the reception for Mstislav Rostropovich. Two years later in 1986, he was chosen by renowned cellist Janos Starker to open the gala finale concert at the Third American Cello Congress at Indiana University.

Mr. Kosower holds a Bachelor of Music degree and an Artist Diploma in Cello Performance from Indiana University where he was a four-year scholarship student of Janos Starker. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at the Juilliard School where he studies with Joel Krosnick.