Russian Pianist Returns to Perform with Dearborn Symphony

By Sandy Butler

The Dearborn Symphony, along with Russian pianist Gleb Ivanov, will perform Edvard Grieg's powerful Piano Concerto during a special concert at 8 p.m. on April 12 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center.

This is the third time Ivanov will perform with the symphony, conducted by Kypros Markou.

Ivanov has been hailed by the New York Times as “a young super-virtuoso with musical sensitivity and an appreciation of style to go with the thunder and lightning.”

An attention-grabbing "boom" opens the concert with dramatic chords from Franz von Suppé’s sparkling "Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna Overture," composed in 1844. While the play closed after three nights, the overture was a huge success and continues to grab the attention of the audience, quiet the house and set the scene for the entertainment.

Next up, Ivanov brings heartfelt passion to one of the most deeply romantic and popular pieces of music ever composed, Grieg’s Piano Concerto. From its opening timpani roll, cascading piano chords followed by rising arpeggios, Grieg’s dramatic Piano Concerto is a perfect balance of lyricism and virtuosity — simply irresistible.

Already well known as a virtuoso pianist in Russia, having played with the Moscow State Orchestra, at the Great Hall at the Moscow Conservatory, and at the Kremlin, Ivanov won many important prizes in Moscow and Kiev. In 2005, he won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York, which launched his career in America.

Paul Yeon Lee’s "Rapid Fire" opens the second half of the concert. James F. Cotter of the Times Herald-Record describes it as “…a scintillating piece, full of sound and fury from its first drum roll and string fanfare that ascends with swirling notes punctuated by the beat of timpani and percussion. The ever-quickening pace takes on the sounds of city traffic with clashing cymbals, vibrant xylophone and whistles amid the shrill accelerating violins. With its staccato cacophony and stridence, the overture is certainly an immediate attention getter, over almost before it begins."

The program climaxes with Stravinsky’s dazzling “The Firebird.” In 1910, Stravinsky was commissioned to write a new ballet by Sergei Diaghilev, the great impresario of the Ballet Russe. It was a story based on a Russian fairy tale of Prince Ivan, who was befriended by the magical bird woman “Firebird,” whose plumage shine with the brilliance of flame.

Stravinsky’s orchestration with colors and sounds depicts humans versus mythical creatures, and evil versus good. With help from the Firebird, Ivan destroys the ogre’s evil soul, frees the maidens and marries the princess.

The rousing ending leaves the audience uplifted and soaring like the beautiful “Firebird.”

To make a complete night out, the Dearborn Symphony has partnered with local restaurants to offer a 20 percent diners’ discount for symphony ticket-holders on concert nights. Advance reservations are recommended at Andiamo Dearborn, Big Fish, Ciao, Double Tree Grille39, The Dearborn Inn, The Henry, Kiernan’s & Silky’s, La Pita, and Ollie’s.

Tickets are $15 to $30, and are available by calling 313-565-2424, or at the theater box office at 313-943-2354. Visit dearbornsymphony.org for more information.