Prof's piece to premier tonight

Tonight is the "big night" for Richard Wernick, a University music professor and Pulitzer Prize winner. The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform one of his most recent compositions, Symphony No. 2, at the Academy of Music. Symphony No. 2 is the first of five of Wernick's compositions scheduled to premier with the Orchestra this year. According to Wernick, the piece took over two years to write, and was "an enormously complex matter." In addition, Wernick said this symphony is dedicated to the former Executive Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Stephen Sell, who died of cancer in 1989. Wernick said this symphony differs from his first symphony in that it is commemorative, as opposed to abstract. The symphony consists of only two movements. And a highlight of the performance should come during the second movement, entitled "Verses for Steve," which features a solo by soprano Sylvia McNair. The text for this movement is comprised of excerpts from Sell's memorial service In addition, Wernick said all music is "progressive," and "influence moves over a long period of time." He added that, although much of modern composition is based on composers of the 18th and 19th century, classical music is "very much alive and well." Much of Wernick's work has been in the concerto form, including the four other premieres planned for this year. Wernick said he has begun composing for larger ensembles only recently. Wernick has been a member of the University's faculty since 1968, and has won several awards. In 1977, Wernick received the Pulitzer Prize for his work entitled Visions of Terror and Wonder. The symphony will be performed at 8 p.m. tonight, Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., and again Saturday at 8 p.m. A reception will follow the final performance.

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