The Needham Concert Society presents the Orion Ensemble in concert on Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Needham, 858 Great Plain Avenue in Needham. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and students admitted free. Tickets are available at the door or by contacting the society.
The program consists of Beethoven's Seven Variations for Cello and Piano on a theme from Mozart's "Magic Flute" WoO 46, the soulful and lyrical Trio in D minor by Anton Arensky and concludes with the majestic Trio in E flat major by Beethoven.
The Orion Ensemble, comprised of violinist Peter Zazofsky, cellist Ronald Lowry, and pianist Randall Hodgkinson, have been performing together for more than ten years, and give concerts in Needham annually. They have performed in the inaugural season of Needham’s Great Hall series in 2011, celebrating the renovation of Powers Hall in Needham's Town Hall.
Peter Zazofsky has won top prizes in the Queen Elizabeth and Montreal International Competitions and has been soloist with orchestras worldwide including the Boston Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic, the Philadelphia and San Francisco Symphonies. He performs worldwide as first violinist of the Naumburg Award-winning Muir Quartet and teaches at Boston University.
Cellist Ronald Lowry has been described by the Boston Globe as a "superb cellist." He is principal cellist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra since 1993 and principal cellist of the Boston Ballet since 1992, and performs regularly with the Boston Symphony, including tours of Europe and Asia. He has been soloist with several orchestras in New England including the Boston Pops and Boston Ballet Orchestras. He teaches at New England Conservatory Preparatory, The Walnut Hill School, and at The Rivers School Conservatory.
Pianist Randall Hodgkinson won top prize in the International American Music Competition sponsored by Carnegie Hall and the Rockefeller foundations. He has been soloist with several major orchestras including Atlanta, Cleveland, Buffalo, Boston, and the American Symphonies. He has appeared in numerous chamber music festivals including the Bargemusic, Seattle, and Santa Fe. He has been pianist for the Boston Chamber Music Society since 1983 and teaches at the New England Conservatory.
