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Orchestra's bassist to play historic instrument during symphony debut

Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra
7 p.m. Oct. 29
(248)-645-2276
http://www.bbso.org

A bass solo concerto performed on a historic instrument once owned by the composer will highlight the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra's first concert of the season on Oct. 29.
John Kennedy, BBSO principal bassist, will play the Double Bass Concerto by Serge Koussevitzky in the concert in Bloomfield Township, beginning at 7 p.m.
"This instrument is without question the most famous bass in existence today. It is the instrument owned by Koussevitzky, with which he wrote this concerto," Kennedy said in a statement.
Although best known as the conductor of the Boston Symphony for 25 years, Koussevitzky was also famous as bassist and composer.
"Koussevitzky's widow bequeathed the instrument to Gary Karr, who many say is the greatest double bassist of all time," he said in a statement. "I heard him perform the Double Bass Concerto on this bass in 1986 in Hawaii when I played in the Honolulu Symphony."
After Karr retired, he donated the instrument to the International Society of Bassists to ensure that bassists would continue to play and enjoy it.
Kennedy teaches orchestra at Warner Middle School in Farmington Hills and has an active studio of private students. He is conductor of the Oakland Youth Symphony String Orchestra. Last year colleagues for Michigan Orchestra Teacher of the Year nominated him. Kennedy travels throughout the country teaching young bassists and is director of young bassist programs for the International Society of Bassists.
Adult tickets are $25 and available at the door. Students and children 18 and under are admitted free.

Program for show:
Mussorgsky: A Night on Bald Mountain
Saint-Saens: Danse macabre
Koussevitzky: Double Bass Concerto
Ravel: Mother Goose Suite
Rimsky-Korsakov: Suite from the Tale of Tsar Saltan

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