CSO Presents Ozel Plays Tchaikovsky
COLUMBUS, GA - October 4th, 2022 - The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) presents “Ozel Plays Tchaikovsky” on October 22nd, 2022. Young pianist, Evren Ozel, will make his CSO debut performing the ever-popular first concerto by Tchaikovsky. Celestial music by living composer Arvo Pärt and a lustrous symphony by Vaughan Williams complete the program. The concert will begin at 7:30 PM and will be performed in the Bill Heard Theatre at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.
Music Director and Conductor, George Del Gobbo commented, “One of the CSO's greatest pleasures is seeking out talented young artists, those who are just embarking on solo careers, and giving them a chance to build their resumes with a performance with our orchestra. Evren Ozel is such an artist, a fine young pianist at the beginning of his concert life. We are delighted to be a part of his journey.”
In 1976, Estonian composer Arvo Pärt heard of the passing of British composer Benjamin Britten. At the time, Pärt was composing an elegiac orchestra piece and wanted to dedicate the piece to the memory of Britten. The CSO will open the concert with the Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten. Due to its evocative and cinematic feel, the piece has been used extensively as background accompaniment in both film and television documentaries.
Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of the most well-known British composers. He is celebrated for his nine symphonies, none of which are alike and contrast in various structures and moods. Symphony No. 5 in D Major is described as having a quieter tone with very few passages rising above a forte.
The CSO will close the concert with Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring pianist Evren Ozel. Ozel is represented by Concert Artists Guild, as one of the Ambassador Prize winners of their 2021 Victor Elmaleh Virtual Competition and described as having “daring creativity and fierce passion” through his artistry. The piece is considered to be Tchaikovsky’s first major success.
On Saturday, October 22, the CSO will present an Open Dress Rehearsal beginning at 12:30 PM. We encourage attendance from all members of the community, including those who are unable to attend the evening concert or interested in a “behind-the-scenes” look into the ensemble. It is a great way to introduce young children to a live musical experience. Continuing the tradition, this informal and all-inclusive atmosphere is breaking the financial barrier by encouraging attendees to “pay what you want.” Audience members set their own prices to eliminate hesitation and allow new viewers to partake in the music being created by the CSO.
To enhance the concert experience, the CSO offers a pre-concert discussion with George Del Gobbo that gives insight into the composers and works being performed called Know the Score. Know the Score occurs at 6:30 PM in Studio Theatre directly before the concert and admission is included with the purchase of a concert ticket.
Tickets can be purchased online at csoga.org/tickets or in-person at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts located at 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga. Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM (Broadway entrance). Single ticket prices range from $10-$40. Senior, military, educator, and student discounts are available in person or by calling 706-256-3612. Children under the age of 5 are not admitted.
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About the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, formed in 1855, is the second orchestra founded in the nation and the first founded in Georgia. The CSO, under the direction of George Del Gobbo, has long been considered one of the Southeast’s premier musical ensembles. The CSO’s performance venue at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Bill Heard Theatre, seats 2,000 patrons and provides a state-of-the-art visual and acoustic experience. For more information about the CSO, visit our website at csoga.org.
About Evren Ozel, piano
Hailed an “exceptionally gifted artist” by the South Florida Classical Review, pianist Evren Ozel performs frequently throughout the United States. His playing has earned him success in several major piano competitions, such as the Dublin Competition, the Cooper Competition, and the US National Chopin Competition, the last of which secured him a spot in the biggest piano competition in the world: the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, where he participated in October 2021 and advanced to the quarter-final stage. Ozel is currently in the Master of Music program at New England Conservatory, where he has been a student of Wha Kyung Byun since 2014.