Campus was closed, but the music played on as the Haifa Symphony Orchestra of Israel performed at 7:30 p.m. March 3 in Reynolds Performance Hall.
Maestro Boguslaw Dawidow said, “If we had known how cold it was going to be, we would have brought some sun and warmth with us.”
World renown for his musical expertise, Dawidow was the principal guest conductor for the Haifa Symphony Orchestra of Israel and the Bogota Symphony Orchestra, as well as general music director for the Chopin Chamber Orchestra.
Born in Sopot, Poland, Dawidow has brought his musical gifts all over the world, traveling throughout Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and North America.
In 2002, the American Biographical Institute in New York titled Dawidow “Man of the Year.”
The orchestra is composed of 78 players and 18 different types of musical instruments, including the viola, flute, English horn, tuba and guitar.
During the performance, the orchestra performed three well-known classical pieces – Carl Maria von Weber’s overture to the opera “Euryanthe,” Wolfgang Mozart’s Symphony in G Minor, No. 40, K. 550 and Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36.
As the audience gave its final applause, Dawidow turned and asked if the orchestra could play a couple more pieces in appreciation of the audience coming out in such cold weather.
Then, the orchestra played a piece from the movie “Schindler’s List” as well as a riveting performance of “Stars and Stripes” that had the audience clapping along.
Overall, the performance was a success amongst audience members.
Junior Shih Min Chou of Taiwan said the performance was memorable.
“The von Weber piece at the beginning was very beautiful,” he said.
The Haifa Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1950 and has gained recognition, becoming the most significant musical institute in north Israel. It has toured many nations and started its first American tour this year.
The orchestra is also known for its community outreach programs, including the “Kadma” and “Israeli Notes” programs that go to elementary schools, teaching students the beauty of classical music.
In Israel, the Haifa Symphony Orchestra received the Prime Minister’s award for its work in composing original Israeli music.
KLRE 90.5 sponsored the event.
“Sweet Charity,” a romantic musical about a taxi dancer named Charity and her quest for true love, will be at 7:30 p.m. March 20.
For tickets, call 501-450-3265 or visit the box office.
