String ensemble to perform

The Riverside Symphonia ensemble will hold its autumn chamber music concert Saturday, Sept. 22.

   LAMBERTVILLE — The Riverside Symphonia string ensemble will hold its autumn chamber music concert Saturday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church.
   The 16-piece ensemble is comprised of members of the Riverside Symphonia and will feature soloists from the orchestra as well. A pre-concert lecture, in which Riverside Symphonia Music Director and Conductor Mariusz Smolij will explore the subtleties of the works performed, will be held Saturday evening at 7:15 p.m.
   "Our chamber evenings offer a different kind of orchestral experience to our audience," Maestro Smolij said. "The chamber ensemble provides a more intimate encounter and has become a Riverside Symphonia favorite."
   Marimba artist Greg Giannascoli, winner of this year’s Artist International Young Artists Competition, is the featured soloist in the world premiere of a concerto composed by Davide Zannoni. "Concertino dell’Incenso" is structured in one uninterrupted movement with several sections, highlighting the sound of the marimba.
   The program also offers masterpieces of the string literature, including Corelli’s "Concerto Grosso in D-Major" and Tchaikovsky’s "Serenade for Strings in C-Major."
   Tickets for the September chamber music concert at $28, $23, $18 and $15 are available in Lambertville at Dresswells, Bridge Street; in Stockton at Phillips Fine Wines, Bridge Street; in New Hope at Weidel Realty, York Road; and in Doylestown at Kenny’s News Agency, State Street.
   The Riverside Symphonia offers 16 concerts annually, including a subscription series, family concerts, pops concerts and the Concert Under the Stars held July 4 weekend.
   For information, call 397-7300 or (215) 862-3300 or visit www.RIVERSIDESYMPHONIA.org
   Mr. Giannascoli’s subsequent New York debut solo recital will be held June 22, 2002, at Carnegie Hall. He also was top prize winner of the Patrons of Wisdom International Young Artist Competition held in Toronto in 1997 and has won grants for a custom marimba from several music foundations and competitions.
   He has been a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall, Theatro Juarez in Mexico and the Glenn Gould Studio in Canada.
   Mr. Zannoni started his career as a jazz drummer and joined the Maggio Fiorentino Orchestra in Florence, Italy, as a symphonic percussionist. He has received various commissions from both performers and organizations, and his music is performed in the United States and abroad.