NEW YORK — As Part of its 2024-2025 season, Pegasus: The Orchestra presents two concerts focused on some of the most Iconic works of American Music in Merkin Hall on Lincoln Center Campus.
On Saturday, November 2, at 8 p.m., Pegasus: the Orchestra, led by artistic director and principal conductor, Karén Hakobyan, will bring together 20 of its core members to present “Americana: Gershwin, Copland, Price & Piatigorsky,” celebrating four American masters.
Through history and geography, Americana reflects on the American landscape in its triumph and turbulence, with a presentation of Florence Price’s stunning Andante Moderato for String Orchestra and brilliant American cello virtuoso and composer, Gregor Piatigorsky’s exhilarating Variations on a Paganini Theme arranged for cello and orchestra featuring 2007 International Tchaikovsky Competition gold medalist and Grammy Nominated cellist, Sergey Antonov.
The second half opens with Aaron Copland’s monumental Appalachian Spring Suite (1970 version). Pegasus: The Orchestra also celebrates the Centennial of George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue conducted by Karén Hakobyan from the piano, an arrangement done by Hakobyan especially for Pegasus for 10 of its members, a bold and exuberant jewel of classical jazz. A nod to America’s past, Pegasus: the Orchestra reminds audiences of the American music melting pot.
Sergey Antonov, the 2007 Tchaikovsky international competition gold medalist, and a cellist with Hermitage Trio, has been called “destined for cello superstardom” by the Washington Post.
Hakobyan and the orchestra have also nabbed raves. Fanfare Magazine wrote, “Karén Hakobyan’s Brahms Fourth is a shattering experience not to be missed.” And the New York Concert Review wrote, “Pegasus is truly a first-rate ensemble.”
