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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2009 > April > 27 > Entry
Long-awaited in the Live Music Capital of the World: Austin’s orchestra premieres an Austin-made symphony
Among the dozens of commissions Austin-based composer Dan Welcher has received in his three-decade career, he’s written works for the Boston Pops, Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Guggenheim Foundation, and his work has been performed by more than 50 orchestras including Chicago Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony and the Atlanta Symphony.
This weekend the Austin Symphony Orchestra premieres Welcher’s Fifth Symphony,
And although it’s arguably the first time in living memory the Austin Symphony Orchestra is premiering a symphony by an Austin composer, the cost of the project is underwritten by an independent consortium of local donors, not the orchestra itself. The nonprofit radio station KMFA-FM spearheaded the fundraising drive that began nearly a year ago. To date about $40,000 toward the $50,000 goal has been raised, with donations ranging from as little as $50 to as much as $5,000.
Welcher is honoring his good friend Peter Bay, Austin Symphony Orchestra conductor. The two have been friends fo 30 years and Bay is celebrating his 10th season with the orchestra.
Sample Welcher’s music:
Austin Symphony Orchestra
Dan Welcher’s Symphony No. 5. Also on the program is guest violinist Sarah Chang playing Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1.
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Dell Hall, Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive.
Cost: $19-$48
Information: 512-476-6064, www.austinsymphony.org
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