The Fusion of Classical and Techno Music

The State Theatre proudly presents:
UltraMax & Penn State Innovation Orchestra
TechnoClassica 2.0 Concert
April 10^th 2010 · 8pm · Buy Tickets Now (Limit 4 per order)

What kind of music would Mozart write if he lived today?

More than 200 years have passed since Amadeus created his masterpieces, yet today, despite gargantuan technological advances, these classical treasures are performed time after time in the same way, exactly as they were written (which surely got old after first 100 years)…

So is there more than one way to perform classical music?

For Prof. Max Fomitchev – the producer of 9 albums and scores of chart-topping underground dance music singles, a subculture where he is known as UltraMax – music is as much about innovation as it is about style:

“If Bach was around today I am sure he would have used technology to bring out the best in his music,” says Fomitchev, “I can practically see him spinning records in clubs. To me it is simply unacceptable that the young generation is denied the enchanting beauty of classical music simply because it is served in a format that feels old and uninteresting. We are here to change it. Penn State Innovation Orchestra and Electric Light Quartet were created specifically to push the envelope of both classical and techno music. We are doing something that hasn’t been done before – morphing and fusing the scores of classics with each other and with our original music; getting the best of both worlds. While we may ruffle some conservative feathers (e.g. there are purists that believe that classical music should not be mingled with), we are definitely on the right track. Currently Boston Pops, Philly Pops and Cincinnati Pops are looking into the possibility of joint performances and the recently deceased Maestro Erich Kunzel of Cincinnati Pops was a huge supporter and fan. The same can be said about Bob Woods of Telarc, the biggest record label for classical music that recently closed doors due to the lack of business. This is precisely what we are trying to change. We are striving to bring classical music to the next generation by performing your favorite classics – Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi and more – remixed to a techno groove!”

Who should attend TechnoClassica 2.0 concert?

“TechnoClassica 2.0 is going to be a perfect family event. This is a performance that a lot of kids would be interested in and everyone is invited! Traditional classical music patrons should bring their children and grandchildren and enjoy this music together. We expect large turnout, so get your tickets fast. Last year’s performance at Eisenhower drew a large crowd of over 1,000 and many could not get in due to unprecedented walk-up. Since The State Theatre is a much smaller venue we strongly encourage advance ordering of tickets to ensure seating.”

What can the audience expect from TechnoClassica 2.0 concert?

“Expect to be surprised! This time we are performing with a much smaller orchestra, the core of which is Penn State Electric Light Quartet. We are going to use custom-made electric instruments that respond visually with light to the music played, another unique hardware project we have completed with my computer engineering students."

“Expect to hear Penn State’s most mesmerizing voices including Natalia Orlovskaia and Todd Hill supplemented by the impeccable musicianship of our fine performers: Cole Hons (guitar), Kalindi Bellach (viola), Neemias Santos (cello), Maggie Loukachkina (piano), Dr. Chris Byrne (sax) to name a few.”
“Also, in TechnoClassica 2.0 we are putting a much bigger emphasis on light and special effects – did I mention the lasers and live video?”

TechnoClassica 2.0 = Trans-Siberian Orchestra + Vanessa Mae

“We have been often compared to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, since they too perform classical music in a different setting, except that they fuse it with rock while we are doing it with techno. Vanessa Mae would be another close parallel, so is Japan’s crazy Yellow Music Orchestra. To get a feeling of what we do please watch the TechnoClassica Trailer on YouTube”.

Highlights of the program

UltraMax & Penn State Electric Light Quartet will perform the following classical masterpieces:
- Romeo and Juliet, Dance of the Knights movement by Sergei Prokofiev
- 8th String Quartet by Dmitri Shostakovich
- Part of Bolero by Maurice Ravel
- Spring, Winter and Summer from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi
- Prelude and Presto Agitato from the “Moonlight” Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven
- Choral in F Minor by Johan Sebastian Bach,
- and original music.

UltraMax & Penn State Innovation Orchestra are already building a strong following and have many people flying in to attend the performance:

“UltraMax’s last concert was fabulous! I definitely plan to attend” – Carole Pearce, D. Ed., CareerLink

“Man, I can’t wait!” – Michael Hendricks, Kansas City

“When I first heard about it, I was psyched beyond all reason. Practically drooling…” – Nathan Gillespie, Penn State senior

So buy your tickets today and experience the Fusion of Classical and Techno Music!

The TechnoClassica Performers

Irina Gribova is a graduate of Moscow conservatory, a laureate of extremely prestigious "Voices of Russia" folk signing competition and a silver medalist of the European World of Bluegrass (EWOB) 2001 festival. Irina has a unique performing style and for prior to joining TechnoClassica project she has been a lead singer for Countrybandists, Russian bluegrass and country music band and for Rivera group. In TechnoClassica concert Irina will be performing with unforgettable Todd Hill and Natalia Orlovskaia, the stars of the original 2008 TechnoClassica concert.

Max Zorin is a violin virtuoso and an assistant professor (violin) at the Penn State School of Music. His dazzling performances thrilled audiences and critics across three continents, and his superb technique and engaging personality led him to rave reviews. Max Zorin has been featured in prestigious venues such as Alice Tully Hall in New York, Aspen Music Festival, Luzerne, Summit, Penns Woods and on various international radio and TV broadcasts. Recent highlights include solo appearances with celebrated artists such as Maxim Vengerov and jazz violinist Didier Lockwood. Notable performances abroad featured Max Zorin at the Tel Aviv University (Israel), the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory (Russia), and the Philharmonic Hall of Odessa (Ukraine).

Cassandra Sotos is 1/4 of the Viper Vixens, a spectacular group of charming young ladies that captivate audiences with their stunning rock and heavy metal influenced performances on electric violins. Cassandra studied with legendary Mark Wood, one of the founders of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and plays using the trademark Viper violin made by Wood himself. In TechnoClassica project Cassandra plays in the Electric Light Quartet along with remarkably talented David Chavez (violin), Neemias Santos (cello) and Jake Sustaita (viola).

Maggie Loukachkina began her musical studies at the age of 3. At age of 6 she was admitted into Russia’s prestigious Gnessin’s State Musical College. Currently a senior at Peabody and only twenty years of age Maggie has numerous musical awards to her credit including 3rd Prize in Louisiana international Piano Competition (2007), 1st Prizes in the International Piano Competitions in Greece, International Rubinstein Competition in Paris, Nittany Valley Symphony, and Williamsport Symphony Competitions. Equally proficient with piano and flute Maggie has performed numerous piano concerts with Altoona, Williamsport and Nittany Valley Symphonies.

Douglas Meyer is the Music Director, Conductor and founder of the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra. His guest conducting invitations include the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonie, Czech Republic; Kurpfälzisches Kammer Orchestra, Mannheim; as well as the Altoona, La Crosse and Spokane Symphonies. In 2005 Meyer made his Latin-American debut with the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Toluca, Mexico. Dr. Meyer has conducted orchestras in Budapest, Prague, Paris, Munich and Vienna. Presently Maestro Meyer is actively engaged in the fusion of classical and techno music and he is actively contributing orchestrations to the TechnoClassica project.

Veronica Winters is an emerging visual artist and art instructor at the Pennsylvania Art Alliance and the resident at the Galaxy Arts-in-Education program. A master of colored pencil and oil painting and an author of instructional book on drawing Veronica will be providing background videos mixed live for the TechnoClassica concert.

 

Concert Program 1. Moonlight Sonata     Ludwig van Beethoven, Sonata No. 14, Prelude     Arranged by Max Fomitchev and Ryan DeNardis     Cole Hons - guitar 2. Beethoven vs. Vivaldi     Ludwig van Beethoven, Sonata No. 14, Presto Agitato     Antonio Vivaldi, Summer, The Four Seasons     Arranged by Max Fomitchev and Ryan DeNardis     Cole Hons - guitar     Maggie Loukachkina - piano     Max Zorin - violin solo 3. Pacifica     Antonio Vivaldi, Spring, The Four Seasons     Arranged by Max Fomitchev and Ryan DeNardis     Irina Gribova - vocals     Cole Hons - guitar 4. Choral in F Minor     J. S. Bach, Choral Prelude in F Minor, BWV 639     Arranged by Ryan DeNardis and Max Fomitchev     Cole Hons - guitar     Maggie Loukachkina - piano     Natalia Orlovskaia - vocals     Dan Puckett - sax 5. Trance Macabre     Camille Saint-Saëns     Arranged by Douglas Meyer     Max Zorin - violin     Dan Puckett - sax     Irina Gribova - vocals 6. Shadows of the Night     Antonio Vivaldi, Winter, The Four Seasons     Arranged by Max Fomitchev and Ryan DeNardis     Maggie Loukachkina - flute     Cole Hons - guitar     Dan Puckett - sax     Cassandra Sotos - violin solo 7. Unconditional Love     Max Fomitchev     Arranged by Nikolai Balashov and Max Fomitchev     Natalia Orlovskaia - vocals     Cole Hons - guitar 8. Glorious Summer, + guitar, vocalist, flute     Max Fomitchev     Dmitri Shostakovich, 8th String Quartet     Maurice Ravel, Bolero     Arranged by Ryan DeNardis and Max Fomitchev     Cole Hons - guitar     Maggie Loukachkina - flute     Natalia Orlovskaia - vocals Intermission 9. Summer Flight     Max Fomitchev     Arranged by Nikolai Balashov and Max Fomitchev     Max Zorin - violin     Cole Hons - guitar 10. The Heart of China     Max Fomitchev     Arranged by Ryan DeNardis     Yancy Poon - flute     Cole Hons - guitar 11. Innocuous Eloquence (Come On!)     Max Fomitchev     Arranged by Ryan DeNardis     Cassandra Sotos - violin     Cole Hons - guitar 12. House of the Rising Sun     Arranged by Andrew Litts and Max Fomitchev     Traditional     Todd Hill - vocals     Cole Hons - guitar, vocals     Cassandra Sotos - violin solo 13. Two Hearts Become One     Max Fomitchev     Arranged by Max Fomitchev and Ryan DeNardis     Todd Hill - vocals     Irina Gribova - vocals 14. I’m Attracted to You     Max Fomitchev     Arranged by Max Fomitchev and Rob Jones     Sergei Prokofiev, Dance of the Knights, Romeo and Juliet     Cole Hons - guitar     Irina Gribova - vocals     Maggie Loukachkina - piano 15. Waiting for You     Max Fomitchev     Arranged by Max Fomitchev and Ryan DeNardis     Todd Hill - vocals     Maggie Loukachkina - piano     Natalia Orlovskaia - vocals 16. Letting Go     Max Fomitchev     Arranged by Max Fomitchev and Ryan DeNardis     Todd Hill - vocals     Maggie Loukachkina - piano     Dan Puckett - sax

Theo Dixon (Electronic Drums) David Chavez (Violin) Neemias Santos (Cello) Jake Sustaita (Viola) Natalia Orlovskaia (Vocals) Cole Hons (Guitar) Ryan DeNardis (Arrangements)