Oneonta Concert Association Unites Noted Violinist, Catskill Symphony

The Oneonta Concert Association’s subscription drive is under way for its 84th concert season, which will feature the appearance of violinist and composer Mark O’Connor with the Catskill Symphony Orchestra Oct. 22, a OCA-CSO collaboration.
O’Connor studied with Benny Thomasson, the father of the modern fiddle, and Stephane Grapelli, jazz violinist, and has fused the two in his 30-year career.
He has also composed six violin concertos, three string quartets and the “Americana Symphony,” and performs regularly with symphony orchestras and string players world-wide.  His most recent recording, “Jam Session,” was called “dazzling” by the Wall Street Journal.

The other four concerts in the OCA series are:
• Sept. 30, the Borromeo String Quartet, (Boston Globe:  “Simply the best there is), performing Beethoven, Bartok and Shostakovich.
• Nov. 18, jazz pianist Rossano Sportiello, who played with the Harry Allen Quartet last season.
• March 23, the Boston Chamber Music Society.
• May 11, the Taylor 2 Dance Company, a “wonderfully intimate” spinoff from the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Season subscriptions for all five concerts are only $60 for adults, $25 for students, $120 for the family.  Subscriptions may be purchased at the Imani Winds concert, from any OCA board member, by calling 433-7252, or at OCA’s final concert of this season, the String Orchestra of New York City, 8 p.m. Saturday, May 14. The String Orchestra will be free to present and 2011-12 subscribers.
OCA is supported, in part, by NYSCA, the Dewar Foundation, the A.C. Molinari Foundation and the county occupancy tax.