INDIANAPOLIS — David Danzmayr conducts Schubert’s “Great” C Major Symphony, a sprawling, epic work of pure beauty and joy. ISO principal tuba Anthony Kniffen performs ISO co-commission Concerto for Tubist and Orchestra by legendary musician and composer Wynton Marsalis.
“Other orchestras and their Principal Tubas who have performed it are the Houston Symphony with David Kirk, National Arts Center Orchestra of Canada with Chris Lee, Minnesota Orchestra with Steve Campbell, and the Oregon Symphony with JáTtik Clark,” says Kniffen. “It is a challenging piece, forcing me to change my solo tuba from a Germanic F tuba to a more ‘American’ piston tuba. The last movement in particular, In Bird’s Basement, an allusion to saxophonist Charlie Parker, is lightning fast in a bebop style and unsuited to my orchestral F tuba. It is insider knowledge, for sure, but the difference is between night and day. It took me months of practice to make this shift.”
Buy tickets to the ISO’s concert at https://www.indianapolissymphony.org/event/music-of-schubert-marsalis/
Performances begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 7; 8 p.m., Friday, March 8; and at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9.
For more information regarding the policies of the Hilbert Circle Theatre, please visit the ISO website.
About David Danzmayr
David Danzmayr is widely regarded as one of his generation’s most exciting European conductors. Danzmayr is in his second season as Music Director of the Oregon Symphony, having started his tenure there in the orchestra´s 125th anniversary season. He also stands at the helm of the versatile ProMusica Chamber Orchestra Columbus, an innovative orchestra comprising musicians from all over the U.S.
In addition, he holds the title of Honorary Conductor of the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom he had served as Chief Conductor—leading the Zagreb musicians on several European tours with concerts in the Salzburg Festival Hall, where they performed the prestigious New Year´s concert, and the Vienna Musikverein. He frequently appears in major concert halls, such as the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Vienna, Grosses Festspielhaus Salzburg, Usher Hall Edinburgh, and the Symphony Hall in Chicago.
About Anthony Kniffen
Anthony Kniffen’s first professional orchestral experience, at age 18, was as acting Principal Tuba in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for a concert under Sir Georg Solti. A year later, he joined the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra for eight seasons and was appointed Principal Tuba of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1997. His teachers have included Daniel Perantoni and Harvey Phillips, both at Indiana University, Gene Pokorny and Arnold Jacobs of the Chicago Symphony, Robert Tucci of the Bavarian State Opera Orchestra, and Floyd Cooley of the San Francisco Symphony.
Playing along with such diverse groups as folk artists The Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau in Hawaii to the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra here in Indianapolis, Mr. Kniffen has also performed with the Saint Louis, Minnesota, Detroit, and New Mexico symphony orchestras and recorded numerous discs with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In the ’90s, he toured the U.S. extensively with Summit Brass (“America’s Large Brass Ensemble”) and Japan with Sierra Brass. A winner of four concerto competitions, other solo appearances include regional and international tuba conferences and colleges, including his alma mater, Indiana University. A highlight of Mr. Kniffen’s career was performing the John Williams Tuba Concerto on an ISO Classical Series Concert under the baton of Mario Venzago in 2008.
About the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, at home and thriving in the heart of Indianapolis, offers an exceptional artistic and musical experience. The orchestra is open to all and dedicated to creating an inclusive and innovative experiential environment that is inspiring, educational, and welcoming. The ISO celebrates historically beloved performances while engaging audiences by introducing new voices through programming including the IU Health Plans Classical Series, the Printing Partners Pops Series, the holiday traditions of AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration and the popular Film Series presented by Bank of America. For more information, visit the ISO website.
