65 Years of Beauty, 34 Years of Dedication

On Jan. 10, piano virtuoso Vladislav Kosminov performed a set of three pieces alongside the Redlands Symphony, which included a 60-piece orchestra under the baton of international director, Jon Robertson, during the 65 Years of Beauty Concert at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel sponsored by the Loma Linda University Medical Center. Kosminov, a native of Uzbekistan, made his U.S. debut while performing Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.1 in October 2013. Coming from a musical family, Kosminov was trained as a soloist from a young age and began his studies at the Lyceum Musical Academy for Gifted Children. Kosminov has performed many concerts with National Symphonic Orchestra of Uzbekistan, including pieces from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Brahms. Three pieces, including Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, composed in 1830; Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 1 in G minor, op. 7, composed in 1891-2; and previous University of Redlands faculty member Wayne Bohrnstedt’s Festival Overture, composed in 1956, were played for nearly 1,000 people who were in attendance. Bohrnstedt, who had retired from the University of Redlands in 1993, was present at the concert. “This concert will fill Memorial Chapel with the glorious sounds of some of the repertoire’s great music,” said Maestro Robertson prior to the January concert. “I am extraordinarily happy to give life to my friend Wayne Bohrnstedt’s Festival Overture, with the added treat that I expect Wayne to be in the audience. This is coupled with a phenomenal early work by Nielsen and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, which most people consider to be some of the most beautiful music ever written for the piano, performed by a young man who has already thrilled audiences around the world.” Maestro Robertson, who has served as the Symphony’s music director and conductor since 1982, is set to retire at the end of the 2016-17 season, having dedicated 34 years of his life to the Redlands Symphony. Officials of the Redlands Symphony have formally announced a $1 million endowment campaign in Robertson’s honor to fund the conducting position and the organization’s OrKIDstra program, which provides music education programs and enrichment for children. “The Redlands Symphony Board of Directors felt it was imperative that we remember the legacy of our beloved Maestro in some significant way,” said Symphony Chair David Maupin as he announced the campaign. “To that end, we began the quiet phase of the campaign several months ago. Now, with the leadership of board member Dr. James R. Appleton as committee chair, we have reached our first goal and are ready to enlist the support of the entire community in this worthwhile effort.” “I’m extremely excited by the overwhelmingly positive support the campaign has received so far,” said Appleton. “We have raised in excess of $750,000 in leadership gifts and pledges and have 100 percent participation in the campaign by board members. With help from the general community, I believe we are well on our way to reaching our goal of at least $1 million. This is a historic undertaking for the Symphony. We’ve never done anything like this in the past, so it is extremely heartening to have so many people step up and be included at the early stages of the campaign.” “When Dave and Jim came to me with their proposal for an endowment campaign in my honor, I was extremely moved,” commented Maestro Robertson. “I deeply love this community and this orchestra, and to have that love returned in this manner is somewhat overwhelming. I am also extremely happy that the board has decided that income from the endowment be used for two things that are very dear to me: the ongoing leadership of the orchestra and programs that engage young people in the art and beauty of music.” In addition to Dr. Appleton, members of the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign Committee include Jerry Bean, Denise Bourne, Ann Bryan, David Maupin, Sabine Robertson-Phillips, Nadege Robertson-Tippenhauer, Berangere Robertson-Tucker and Marilyn Solter. The list of people who have either already made a leadership gift to the campaign or pledged their support includes: Kathleen and John Albrektson, Carol and Jim Appleton, Carol Baker, Luann Bangsund, Brenda and Jerry Bean, Denise and Bob Bourne, Pam and Chris Bradish, Mary and Al Bricetti, Debbie and Jack Brown, Ann and Vaughn Bryan, Bill Buster, Dr. Joan Coggin, Richard Cox, Laura and Jack Dangermond, Nancy and Jim Heine, Mary Jo and JE Holmes, Cheryl Lossett, Robin and Dave Maupin, Boyd and Helen Nies, The Quest Foundation, Susan and Bruce Satzger, Marilyn Solter, Connie and Doug Welebir, Carol and Craig Wessen, Charlie Wheeler, Barbara and Larry Wormser and Karen Zerkle. One donor has asked to remain anonymous. For information about how you can get involved in the Jon Robertson Legacy Campaign, please contact Paul Ideker, president & CEO of the Redlands Symphony, at 909-748-8018.