Music in a Great Space
The Concert Series at Shadyside Presbyterian Church
A Preview of the 2008-2009 Season

Shadyside Presbyterian Church's highly celebrated Music in a Great Space Concert Series returns with a wide array of music, certain to appeal to all. An eclectic blend of talented artists rounds out our season, which ranges from international to local, instrumental to vocal. Music in a Great Space invites you to experience world-class musical events in the awe-inspiring atmosphere of one of Pittsburgh's most magnificent structures.

To order tickets in advance, please complete the order form in the season brochure and send it to the church office to the attention of “Music in a Great Space Tickets.”  For additional information or to reserve tickets during the week preceding a performance, please contact Peter Bodnar: pbodnar@shadysidepres.org or 412-682-4300, ext. 116.

	September 21, 2008 (Sunday) Inman Piano Trio Violin, Cello, Piano Time: 4:00 p.m. Comprised of three masterful instrumentalists – violinist Beth Newdome, cellist David Bjella, and pianist Brent Runnels – the Inman Piano Trio takes its name from the gracious Inman Park neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia.  Like the historic neighborhood, the trio creates a unique presence by looking both to the past and to the present by featuring mainstays of the piano trio repertoire on its programs as well as newer, rarely performed works.  Often praised for its consummate musicianship, warmth, passion, and “hauntingly beautiful” performances, the ensemble also has received recognition for achieving perfect balance; the strong individual qualities of the Inman Piano Trio blend to form an exciting whole.  Join us as our season begins with a diverse and engaging program from the ensemble The Virginia Gazette hails as “on the rise.”
	November 7, 2008 (Friday) American Boychoir with the Shadyside Chancel Choir Time: 7:30 p.m. The American Boychoir is regarded as the United States’ premier concert boys’ choir. It continues to dazzle audiences with its unique blend of musical sophistication, effervescent spirit, and ensemble virtuosity. Boys in grades 4 through 8, reflecting the ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity of the U.S., come from across the country and around the world to pursue a rigorous musical and academic curriculum at The American Boychoir School. Maintaining an active national and international touring schedule, the ensemble performs and records regularly with world-class artists and ensembles, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, soprano Jessye Norman, pop diva Beyoncé, and Sir Paul McCartney. The Boychoir, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary season, will pair with the Shadyside Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir for this special Friday evening performance – don’t miss it!
	February 8, 2009 (Sunday) Organ Works of Felix Mendelssohn in honor of the 200th anniversary of his birth J. Christopher Pardini, organist Time: 4:00 p.m. 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the 1809 birth of the great classical Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn, and, in honor of this occasion, Music in a Great Space has planned several special performances of his works.  Though he perhaps is best remembered as a composer of symphonies and pieces for piano, Mendelssohn was an organist, as well; he played the organ and composed for the instrument from the age of 11 until his death at age 38.  Organist J. Christopher Pardini celebrates Mendelssohn’s dual role of composer-organist with a pair of concerts – the first, this February, presenting the Sonatas 1, 3, and 5, as well as the first two of his Preludes and Fugues.  A second concert in the fall of 2009 will complete the celebration with the remaining organ works.  Newly discovered material from Mendelssohn’s youth also will be featured in both concerts – come hear these rarely performed and recently revealed treasures!
	March 15, 2009 (Sunday) Dean Kokanos, Tenor Voice Recital Time: 4:00 p.m. Tenor Dean Kokanos is a second-year Resident Artist with Pittsburgh Opera, where he has been seen and heard in L’Elisir d’Amore, I Capuleti ei I Montecchi, and Flight.  He also will perform roles in this season’s productions of Samson & Dalila, The Grapes of Wrath, La Boheme, and L’Italiana in Algieri.  Previously, Mr. Kokanos has appeared with the Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, as well as other opera companies in the United States, Canada, and Italy, where he sang with the Opera Theatre of Lucca and worked closely with the late Lorenzo Malfatti.  Educated at Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University, the Pittsburgh native has received several prestigious opera awards and has been a finalist in opera competitions.  You’re invited to hear this Shadyside Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir soloist, accompanied by J. Christopher Pardini, deliver a world-class voice recital!
	April 19, 2009 (Sunday) Rodrigo Guitar Trio Time: 4:00 p.m. Formed in 1987, the Rodrigo Guitar Trio is recognized as one of the United Kingdom’s leading guitar ensembles, and, indeed, one of the leading guitar ensembles of the world. The trio’s distinctive sound, which combines Spanish and jazz traditions, features the higher-pitched requinto guitar, an instrument that can extend the pitch range.  Five highly acclaimed recordings feature unique arrangements of music by composers such as Albéniz, Granados, Debussy, Ravel, Villa-Lobos, Turina, Gershwin, and Bernstein.  Touring extensively throughout Europe, this spellbinding trio has given many concerts at London’s Purcell Room and Wigmore Hall, and also has given live broadcasts on BBC radio and television programs.  This spring brings the Rodrigo Guitar Trio across the Atlantic for what is sure to be a crowd-pleasing performance.  Be here to welcome them and prepare to be wowed!
	May 17, 2009 (Sunday) Choral Festival: Mendelssohn’s St. Paul Shadyside Choral Society & Chancel Choir Time: 7:00 p.m. This spring’s choral festival continues the celebration of the bicentennial of Felix Mendelssohn’s birth by highlighting one of the gifted and prolific composer’s significant contributions to the sacred choral repertoire.  The first of his two oratorios, St. Paul incorporates many familiar tunes in its chorales and pays homage both to Bach’s passions and to Handel’s oratorios.  The Shadyside Chancel Choir and Choral Society, with conductor Dr. Curt Scheib and organist J. Christopher Pardini, will present the dramatic story of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus into the Apostle Paul.  A melodious chorus in the second part of St. Paul echoes Isaiah 52:7 in proclaiming, “How lovely are the Messengers that preach us the Gospel of Peace!” – and how lovely these messengers’ voices will be, singing that message set to Mendelssohn’s beautiful music.

The Music in a Great Space concert series is a memorial to Lydia Schulze Saul, made possible by a generous act of her son, William, upon his death in 1995.  All proceeds from ticket sales are distributed to charitable causes through the Missions Committee of Shadyside Presbyterian Church.