Banjo Great Bela Fleck to Perform ‘The Imposter' with Hawaii Symphony Orchestra

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s fifth Fall Season concert will feature Béla Fleck performing “The Impostor”, a concerto for banjo and orchestra of his own composition on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, at 4 p.m. Michael Stern will conduct a program that also includes Stephen Hartke’s “Pacific Rim” and Copland’s Symphony No.3.

Fleck is a powerful creative force in bluegrass, jazz, pop, rock and world beat and has also made the classical connection. His 2001 Sony Classical recording won a pair of Grammys, including Best Classical Crossover Album, in the 44th annual Grammy Awards. He has been nominated in more musical categories than anyone in Grammy history.

‘“The Impostor” is the culmination of many years of getting up the nerve to see if I could write for banjo and orchestra.” Fleck said. It has been said that with names like Béla (for Bartok), Anton (for Dvorak) and Leos (for Janacek) it would seem he was destined to play classical music.

Both concerts will be performed at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall.  Tickets are available at the Blaisdell Box Office or online atwww.HawaiiSymphonyOrchestra.org.

This weekend’s concert is sponsored by University Health Alliance.

Only one concert remains for the HSO’s Halekulani Masterworks Fall 2013 season.

Monday, December 23, at 8 p.m.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 will be conducted by Andrew Litton and feature local vocalists: soprano Chiho Villasenor, mezzo-seprano Maya Hoover, tenor Kip Wilborn, bass Leon Williams and the Oahu Choral Society, Esther Yoo, artistic director.  The concert will open with Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 4 in G Major.

The HSO’s Halekulani Masterworks Spring 2014 Season will feature concerts on March 16; April 5, 6, 26, 27; May 11, 17, 18; and June 1.

The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest orchestras west of the Rocky Mountains, has won the enthusiastic praise of the nationally and internationally renowned soloists and guest conductors who have performed with it.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit: http://hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org

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