Program is Dec. 6 and 7
By John Tredrea, Special Writer
Young cellist Yuki Koyama and the New Hope-Solebury Chamber Choir join with the Riverside Symphonia this weekend at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Lambertville to ring in the holiday season with “A Celebration of Christmas.”
The program on Dec. 6 and 7 features selections from Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B-minor, Handel’s “Messiah,” Croo’s “Coventry Carol,” Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” as well as other holiday favorites.
Mr. Koyama began studying with the late Christina Hayakawa at age 10. In 2012, he was the first prize winner at the Samuel and Elinor Thaviu Competition and a top prize winner at the Symphonia’s Caprio Young Artist’s Competition, a regional competition for emerging musicians. His mastery of the cello delighted the judges. Yuki was a national finalist at the MTNA Young Artist Competition and the ASTA National Solo Competition. Most recently, Mr. Koyama participated in the Witold Lutoslawski International Cello Competition.
Mr. Koyama has played for Steven Isserlis, Lynn Harrell, Shmuel Ashkenazi, Eleonore Schoenfeld, Steven Doane, Paul Katz, Ben Hong, and Anthony Elliott. He has collaborated with Lynn Harrell and James Ehnes in chamber music.
Also featured in this year’s musical celebration will be the New Hope-Solebury High School Chamber Choir, just back from Europe.
The Symphonia’s “Celebration of Christmas” features a combination of classical, pops, and traditional favorites. Under the direction of conductor Mariusz Smolij, the evening promises to ring in the holidays for families and music lovers alike.
Tickets range from $20 to $55, with student discounts available. For information or to order tickets, visit www.riversidesymphonia.org or call 609-397-7300. Tickets will be held at the “will call” window.
Now in its 24th season, with Mr. Smolij as musical director for 16 of those years, the idea of starting the Riverside Symphonia came from John Michael Caprio, said Symphonia executive director Cheryl-Zimmer Lujinbuhl last week.
”He and a group of people wanted to establish a professional orchestra along this area of the Delaware River valley because it’s a cultural hub,” she said. “They felt that, since we’re situated close to midway between New York City and Philadelphia, we could attract world-class musicians.”
She said Mr. Smolij has been instrumental in the Symphonia’s reaching the goals Mr. Caprio and his colleagues had in mind.
”We have a full orchestra, 45 musicians, all accomplished professionals and bring in world-class guest artists,” she said.
A great plus, she said, has been the Symphonia’s home venue, the Church of St. John the Evangelist, on Bridge Street in Lambertville.
”The acoustics there are really extraordinarily good,” she said. “We’ve played there since our inception. It’s a wonderfully intimate setting to experience a fine orchestra.”
The Symphonia’s mid-winter concert, set for Feb. 15, will feature a guest appearance by the Sweet Plantain quartet.
”They fuse jazz and Latin rhythms with classical music,” Ms. Zimmer-Lujinbuhl said.

