News & Media

On March 5, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. the Owensboro Symphony will perform the third concert of its season, Stairway to Schumann. The concert will open with an arrangement of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven. The iconic rock song has topped the charts and was voted number 3 on the VH1 list of 100 greatest songs in 2000 and is ranked 31 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. “We are always looking for opportunities to bridge popular music with the symphonic. a couple of years ago we played Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and the audience loved it. I think Stairway to Heaven will be another hit.” said Troy Quinn, Owensboro Symphony Music Director.

The first half will close with Camille Saint-Saëns Cello Concert No. 1 in A minor. The Cello Concert was well received from its first performance in 1873 and regarded as one of Saint-Saens more important works for the symphony. The soloist will be Owensboro Symphony’s principal cellist Graham Cullen. Cullen joined the orchestra in 2019 and also performs with the Evansville Philharmonic and the Eykamp String Quartet. He is also an Artist in Residence at the University of Evansville.

Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 4 in D minor will complete the concert. Composed in 1840 this piece was chronologically Schumann’s second symphony, but it was not published until ten years later after many revisions. Each of Schumann’s symphonies has some sort of literary reference or theme. His fourth symphony was written just after his long anticipated marriage to Clara and was gift for her birthday. Schumann wrote in one of his journal entries that he would write of her with flutes, oboes and harps. “This is a beautiful romantic work that I think anyone would enjoy.” said Troy Quinn.

Tickets for the March 5th Stairway to Schumann concert may be purchased by calling 270-684-0661 or online. Ticket prices begin at $48 for adults and $15.50 for students. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Patrons are encourage to arrive early to enjoy a brief presentation by Troy Quinn at 6:15 p.m. in the concert hall. Maestro Quinn will share insights about the music that will be performed during the concert.

Behind the Music

Before the Stairway to Schumann concert on March 5th, attendees are encouraged to join Troy Quinn in Cannon Hall from 6:15 to 6:40 p.m. for a special pre-concert conversation about the performance. This program is designed to enhance the concert experience, provide insights into the music and music-makers performing on the program – go Behind the Music with Troy Quinn!

Behind the Music with Troy Quinn is free with concert ticket, open seating at the orchestra level of the concert hall.

About the Artist

Graham Cullen, principal cellist of the Owensboro Symphony, joined the orchestra in 2019. In addition to playing with the Owensboro Symphony, he also holds the principal chair with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and is the cellist of the Eykamp String Quartet. He lives in Evansville, Indiana, where he is on faculty at the University of Evansville as Artist in Residence. Graham holds a Bachelor’s of Music and an Master’s of Music from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. During his time at the Jacobs School Graham was a member of the student quartet in residence, allowing him to work closely and collaborate with the Pacifica Quartet and other faculty members. Before coming to Evansville, Graham held the Assistant Principal chair with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. He was also a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Graham was invited numerous summers to be a fellow at both Aspen Music Festival and Tanglewood Music Center where he performed alongside cellists Yo-Yo Ma and Alisa Weilerstein. Graham was a grand prizewinner of the Alice Coleman Chamber Competition and has had the opportunity to perform all over the US and Europe with his quartet.