McDermott Plays Gershwin at OK Mozart Grand Finale Concert
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Anne-Marie McDermott is no stranger to George Gershwin, having recently recorded all of Gershwin’s rhapsodies and concertos with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and playing an all-Gershwin concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra last year.
McDermott is the featured artist at this year’s 26th annual OK Mozart Festival in Bartlesville and will play the Grand Finale Concert June 19 at the Community Center, with the Amici New York Orchestra, Jo Ann Falletta conducting, and soprano Susanna Phillips.
This year OK Mozart gets a McDermott bonus…sister Kerry McDermott, who is first violinist with the New York Philharmonic, will play with the OK Mozart Classical All-Stars Tuesday night.
Anne-Marie began playing the piano at age five and by age 12 she had performed at Carnegie Hall. She grew up on Long Island with her two sisters and all were home schooled. She learned to accompany her sisters, a violinist and cellist, attending their music classes as well. Under the guidance of some of America’s most respected teachers, including Leon Fleisher, she compiled a lengthy repertoire and then at age 18, broke away from being a “good follower” to playing and “not be told what to do.”
In 1992 she stepped in at the last moment as soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to play the Mozart Concerto K.466. She toured 13 American cities with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in 1999-2000.
Now, she says “probably 98 per cent of my repertoire is something I’ve chosen and feel passionate about.” She plays with a “fearless elegance” and has proven she is not afraid to tackle the most difficult pieces of music.
She has performed with just about every symphony orchestra in the U.S. and plays more than 100 concerts a year, spanning everything from Bach to Prokofiev. She recently was named artistic director of two new music festivals, the Ocean Reef Chamber Music Festival and the Avila Chamber Music Celebration in Curacao.
In Bartlesville, McDermott will play Gershwin’s “American in Paris,” “I Got Rhythm Variations,” and of course the familiar “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Amici New York Orchestra.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.okmozart.com, call 918-336-9800, or by visiting the OK Mozart offices at 500-A S. Dewey in Bartlesville. You may also fax your order to 918.336.9525. Tickets will also be on sale at the Bartlesville Community Center ticket office starting Tuesday, June 8
. This year’s festival features more concerts than ever, for less money, according to Shane Jewell, Executive Director, with ticket prices beginning at only $15 per performance when purchased in series.
The OK MOZART International Festival takes place every June in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and is made possible through the support of the Oklahoma Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Allied Arts & Humanities Council of Bartlesville, ConocoPhillips, ABB, Accenture and individual, corporate and foundation patrons throughout the USA. This year OK MOZART was nominated by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits for the Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence Award.
In addition to its internationally-acclaimed classical and chamber music concert series, OK MOZART presents a variety of performing arts, including dance, jazz, pops and Broadway show tunes, as well as a full program of related cultural events throughout the annual nine-day Festival. These include many daytime Showcase Events — mini-concerts, talks and tours. The OK MOZART Festival is produced by OK MOZART, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information on the festival, visit www.okmozart.com. To learn more about patron
benefits and sponsorship opportunities, call the OKM Festival office at 918-336-9900.
Updated 05-24-2010
READER COMMENTS
