Performers shine at Auburn Symphony's Young Artists Recital

The show must go on! Originally planned for April, the Auburn Symphony's 2020 Young Artists Recital was filmed as a virtual recital Aug. 9 at the State Theatre. Like most events during the pandemic, flexibility and creativity are the keys to making things happen, and this was no exception. We found a way to honor and showcase these talented young artists, and will soon share their performances on a digital platform. The students, ages 8 -18, were particularly excited for the opportunity to perform in a concert hall, even without a traditional audience (not to mention the novelty of dressing in concert attire). Eight artists are featured, including 2020 contest winners performing solo pieces by Schumann, Bach and Chopin. The grand prize winner, Grace Feng, dazzles with the upbeat Hungarian Rhapsody No. 11 by Franz Liszt. As a special bonus, we welcomed back two former grand prize winners, Parker Van Ostrand (2018), performing the dramatic Mephisto Waltz No. 1 by Franz Liszt on piano, and Sophie Zhang (2019), performing the haunting Liebesleid (Love's Sorrow) by Fritz Kreisler on violin with accompanist Roger Xia. With the help of Auburn State Theater's talented staff, the performances were artfully video-taped and audio-engineered and will be combined with comments by Music Director Peter Jaffe. The shift from a live to virtual event provided the flexibility to create space between each performer for thorough cleaning protocols (keyboards, microphones, etc.) as required by CDC and state guidelines. The video compilation will soon be available for viewing in the comfort of your home. For more information about the virtual 2020 Young Artists Recital and the 2021 Young Artists Competition and Recital, visit www.auburnsymphony.com.