REVOLUTION
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 - 7:30 PM Ridgefield Playhouse HOME 2025/2026
This concert is dedicated
to the memory of John Grissmer long-time friend, patron and former board member of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.
RSO Board of Directors
Michael Liebowitz, President
Richard Vazzana, Vice President Lauren Mulvilhill, Secretary
Luis Uriarte, Treasurer
Christopher Bennett Videen McGaughey Bennett Lori Berisford
Jeanette Horan Marla Persky Jennifer Tejada
Music Director Eric Mahl
Executive Director Laurie Kenagy Director of Marketing and Communications Jessica Hinkley Orchestra Librarian Amy Selig
Ridgefield Orchestra Foundation Board of Directors Daniel O’Brien, President Christopher Bennett, Vice President Rhys Moore, Treasurer Diane Kessler, Secretary Donna Case
Michael Liebowitz David Whitehouse
Jeanette Horan Armel Kouassi
Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra 77 Danbury Road, Ridgefield CT 06877 203.438.3889 | email@ridgefieldsymphony,org | ridgefieldsymphony.org
Eric Mahl, Music Director
Known for his contagious energy and passion, Mr. Mahl has solidified his place as one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. His performances captivate audiences, and through these unique musical experiences he unleashes music’s immense power to bring positive change to the world. He is dedicated to bringing music to life for everyone, believing that it is a necessary part of a joyous and fulfilling existence. Mr. Mahl is the Music Director with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Northport Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra at Third Street, Opera Acadia at the Bar Harbor Music Festival, and Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, as well as faculty/festival ensemble conductor at the Charles Ives Music Festival.
Maestro Mahl is looking forward to a 2025-26 season that includes: engagements with violinist Aubree Oliverson, marimbist Ji Su Jung, flutist Katie Althen, singer/songwriter Judy Collins and many more internationally renowned musicians; Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra; performances of numerous contemporary works including pieces by Missy Mazzoli and Kevin Puts; and countless other exciting performances over the course of the season and into the summer, as he returns to the Bar Harbor Music Festival as Music Director of Opera Acadia and as conductor with the prestigious Charles Ives Music Festival. Maestro Mahl consistently conducts, leads and performs with ensembles, and soloists, comprised of world-class musicians from orchestras ranging from the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra among others. He has collaborated with with Grammy Winning artists including Jennifer Koh, Michelle Cann, Brandon Patrick George, Ranaan Meyer, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Judy Collins and others. Mr. Mahl has become known for his unique and innovative programs, highlighting the rich diversity of the world, providing accessibility and contextualization, and bringing the music to the people in every way possible. He is constantly searching for meaningful music that is under represented in the current cannon. Most recently, Mr. Mahl’s orchestral arrangements of Nathaniel Dett’s Piano music was given its world premier with the Northport Symphony, and a fresh interpretation of Florence Price’s The Oak with the Greenwich Village Orchestra was met with thunderous applause. As a fervent supporter of new works, Mr. Mahl frequently conducts various new music ensembles in the Greater NYC area. He has conducted more than twenty world premieres and has commissioned nine pieces for full orchestra, as well as world premieres of fully-staged operas, ballet, and countless small and large ensemble pieces of all genres and instrumentations. This busy musician also can be heard in unique music lecture series, library workshop series, inter- active children and family concerts, outreach programs, and concerts that explore the history and culture of a particular communities. As a passionate educator, Mr. Mahl has personally taught all ages and instruments at public and private schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City, and frequently works with student musicians from under-served communities. Mr. Mahl received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Ithaca College, and continued his studies at Universite de Montreal and the State University of New York at Fredonia. He has studied with some of the foremost conducting pedagogues in the country including Marin Alsop, James Ross, Harold Farberman, and Larry Rachleff and has participated in workshops in the United States, Canada and Europe. Mr. Mahl plays trumpet and piano, and in his very limited free time continues to play in orchestral and chamber music programs. When not on the podium, his passions extend to fitness, tennis, and spending time in nature. ericmahl.com
George Meyer, Violin
Violinist/violist/composer George Meyer is equally interested in classical music and fiddle playing, and the music he writes draws on both sources. He has performed his own compositions in a wide variety of settings, from the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to the 92nd Street Y. He has been commissioned by the US Army Strings, Chamber Music Northwest, Katie Hyun with Astral Artists, Mike Marshall and Caterina Lichtenberg, the Aizuri Quartet, the New York Classical Players, and Bravo! Vail. 2024-2025 highlights include the premiere of a Triple Concerto for two violins and viola with Emma Frucht, Brian Hong, and George as soloists with the New York Classical Players and Dongmin Kim in four NYC concerts. Upstream, a duo project with pianist-composer Will Healy, made its Carnegie Hall debut and recorded an album of 11 original co-compositions for release Fall 2025. Other projects include a duo with his father, bassist Edgar Meyer. They perform traditional, original, and co-written works and have also toured with Sam Bush and Mike Marshall. They will join Marshall again to tour in 2026.
Georger holds degrees from Harvard College and the Juilliard School, and he is faculty at Juilliard’s Extension Division. He is from Nashville, TN.
georgemeyermusic.com
REVOLUTION Saturday, September 27, 2025 7:30 PM
Ridgefield Playhouse Eric Mahl, Conductor Conductor Chair Sponsored by Dan and Annette O’Brien & Chris and Videen Bennett George Meyer, Violin The Magic Flute Overture W. A. Mozart (1756-1791) These Worlds In Us Missy Mazzoli (b. 1980 - ) Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faune Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Intermission Five Fiddle Tunes Bill Monroe (1911-1996) Arr. George Meyer 1. Old Dangerfield 2. Lonesome Moonlight Waltz 3. Bonaparte’s Retreat 4. St. Anne’s Reel 5. Big Sciota
George Meyer, Violin Appalachian Spring Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
The Eight Sections of Appalachian Spring
1. Very slowly. Introduction of the characters, one by one, in a suffused light. 2. Fast/Allegro. Sudden burst of unison strings in A Major arpeggios starts the action. A sentiment both elated and religious gives the keynote to this scene. 3. Moderato. Duo for the Bride and her Intended — scene of tenderness and passion. 4. Quite fast. The Revivalist and his flock. Folksy feeling — suggestions of square dances and country fiddlers. 5. Still fast/Subito Allegro. Solo dance of the Bride — presentiment of motherhood. Extremes of joy and fear and wonder. 6. Very slowly (as at first). Transition scene to music reminiscent of the introduction. 7. Calm and flowing. Scenes of daily activity for the Bride and her Farmer husband. There are five variations on a Shaker theme. The theme, sung by a solo clarinet, was taken from a collection of Shaker melodies compiled by author Edward D. Andrews, and published under the title “The Gift to Be Simple.” The melody most borrowed and used almost literally is called “Simple Gifts.” 8. Coda. The Bride takes her place among her neighbors. At the end the couple are left “quiet and strong in their new house.” Muted strings intone a hushed prayerlike chorale passage. The close is reminiscent of the opening music.
Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra Musicians Performing the September 27, 2025 Concert VIOLIN 1 Jorge Avila, Concertmaster Rachel Handman, Assistant Concertmaster Kathleen Thomson Corinne Metter Margaret Hill
ENGLISH HORN Dorothy Darlington CLARINET Julie Levene, Principal Steven Cohen BASSOON Lisa Alexander, Principal Jacqueline Sifford Joyner HORN Sara Della Posta, Principal Marjorie Seymour Callaghan Darlene Kaukoranta Kathleen Ditmer TRUMPET Robert Patrick, Principal Nicholas Catino TROMBONE Bradley Ward, Principal Jens Wendelboe TUBA Samantha Lake
Silvia Padegs Grendze Claudia Hafer Tondi VIOLIN 2 Mialtin Zhezha, Principal Lori Miller Abbott, Assistant Principal Lawrence Watson Mila Gufeld Joshua Daniels Damaris Andrews VIOLA Suzanne Corey-Sahlin, Principal Amy Selig, Assistant Principal Elizabeth Handman Amy Jones CELLO Nicholas Hardie, principal Carlo Pellettieri, assistant principal Cheryl Labreque Andrew Woodruff BASS Kevin Callaghan, Principal Tod Hedrick FLUTE Allison Hughes, Principal Elizabeth Kitson OBOE
TIMPANI Lee Caron PERCUSSION Glenn Rhian Russell Fisher HARP Wendy Kerner PIANO Kathleen Theisen
Boris Baev, Principal Dorothy Darlington
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS “SPONSOR A CHAIR” DONORS! CONCERTMASTER CHAIR SPONSOR Thomas Zuber sponsoring Jorge Avila, Concertmaster SECTION PLAYER CHAIR SPONSOR Cecilia Shirk sponsoring Rachel Handman, Violin Fred Turpin sponsoring Nick Hardy, Cello Vernon & Nancy Beck sponsoring Carlo Pellettieri, Cello Randy Becker & Jane Leff sponsoring Dorthy Darlington, Oboe
SPONSOR A CHAIR 2025/26 Help keep great, live classical music local and accessible! For More Information on How to Sponsor a Chair
Heritage in Motion: Identity Through Music Sunday, October 19, 2025 4:00 PM
Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center Francesca McNeeley & Friends
A dynamic concert performance with a focus on American music.
RSO QUARTET in CONCERT Friday, November 21, 2025 7:00 PM The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Jorge Avila & Mialtin Zhezha, violins Suzanne Corey-Sahlin, viola Nicholas Hardie, cello
generously sponsored by Gary & Susie Singer
Music inspired by the exhibition Uman: After all the things (October 19, 2025 to May 10, 2026 at The Aldrich)
at Aquila's Nest Vineyards 56 Pole Bridge Road, Newtown, CT Sunday, November 30, 2025 Doors Open - 11:30 AM Music - 12:00 PM Sunday Brunch with the RSO Jazz Trio
Kevin Callaghan, bass, Dave Wonsey, drums & Phil Forbes, guitar
Saturday, December 6, 2025 7:30 PM Anne S. Richardson Auditorium DEFIANCE
Huapango - José Pablo Moncayo Viaggi de Enea - Salvatore Di Vittorio Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso - Camille Saint-Saëns AUBREE OLIVERSON, Violin Symphony No. 2 - Johannes Brahms
MUSIC AT THE MANSION Sunday, December 14, 2025 Lounsbury House 4:00 PM wine & cheese | 4:30 PM concert 316 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT Hafez Taghavi & Friends String Quartet
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