CEDAR CITY – The Orchestra of Southern Utah performs its “Romance and Heroics Concert” next Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Theater.

The concert features the world premiere of “Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra” written by OSU composer in residence Dr. Keith Bradshaw. Bradshaw has dedicated “Fantasy” to his wife, Tracey, who performs as piano soloist for the premiere.

“Xun Sun first approached me about writing a piece around the same time that he asked Tracey to be a featured soloist with the orchestra,” Bradshaw said. “As Tracey looked for music, the idea came to her that we could combine the requests and I could write her a piece to play.”

Tracey Bradshaw’s only requirement: the piece had to be fun to play. Keith Bradshaw had never written a piece specifically for his wife, and he said that he thought it was about time he did so.

“Rather than write something expressly romantic or sentimental, I chose to try to make something Tracey would enjoy playing,” Keith Bradshaw said. “The first movement begins with a bang and is energetic. The second movement is very contrasting, melodic, and lyrical, allowing expressiveness and sensitivity. The third movement is fast and driving to the end.”

“Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra” is the latest of the world premieres performed by the OSU including the “Spanish Trail Suite” in February 2007, “Africa” in February 2008, and the “Spanish Trail Suite” video enhancement in April 2008.

Keith Bradshaw holds a Ph.D. in composition from the University of Minnesota, and an M.M. and B.M. from Brigham Young University. He is currently the SUU Department of Music chair.

He founded the music program at Southern Virginia University where he served as chair of the division of arts and program coordinator for music. He served as composer-in-residence in the Minnesota Composer’s Forum Church/Synagogue Residency Program, was awarded a fellowship in compositions form the McKnight Foundation, a commission form the Barlow Endowment for Composition, and won the national “Welcome Christmas” Christmas carol contest from the American composers Forum.

In addition to composition, Dr. Bradshaw is the director of the Southern Utah Heritage Choir in St. George and serves on its board of directors.

Tracey Bradshaw received her bachelor of music degree in piano performance and pedagogy from BYU, where she was the recipient of the prestigious E. Mona Smith scholarship in piano performance. She accompanied the BYU Singers for three years and toured with the group through Europe and the Middle East.

Professionally, she has accompanied numerous instrumentalists, vocalists, and choirs, including the Dale Warland Singers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has taught piano previously at Southern Utah University, Dixie State College, and SVU. Currently, she is a staff accompanist at SUU and works as a music engraver.

OSU will also perform “Symphony No. 6 in B minor (Pathetique´)” by Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, “Summon the Heroes” by John Williams and “Celebration” by Zheng Lou and Ma Hong Ye during the concert.

Tschaikovsky was a Romantic-era composer from Russia. Many of his compositions are still popular today, including the ballet “Swan Lake,” “The Sleeping Beauty” and “The Nutcracker.” He also wrote the “1812 Overture,” and the opera “Eugene Onegin.”

“The sixth symphony of Tchaikovsky is probably the least understood of his three great symphonies (four, five and six),” said Ken Hedgecock, OSU Brass Section Leader.

The symphony’s title, “Pathetique,” is often thought by English audiences to mean “arousing pity,” but the actual Russian word means “passionate or emotional.”

“Indeed this description is very accurate as it is Tchaikovsky’s most emotional symphony,” he said.

“The symphony was composed during the year 1893 and for whatever reason that is still largely a mystery today, Tchaikovsky was aware he was dying and he knew this would be his final symphony and his last chance to embrace his beloved orchestra,” Hedgecock added.

The symphony was premiered in St. Petersburg on Oct. 28, 1983. After the initial premiere, Tchaikovsky made a few minor corrections to the work and died on Nov. 6, nine days after the premiere performance.

“Summon the Heroes” by famed American motion picture score composer Williams was written in honor of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Modern Olympic Games. It was first performed during the Centennial in 1996.

“Celebration” was written by Chinese composers Lou and Ye. It is a celebration of modern progress in China and the heroic efforts of getting a train line built through treacherous mountain passes to a remote village.

Individual tickets for the Orchestra of Southern Utah “Romance and Heroics Concert” are available at the Heritage Center Box Office. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and $30 for groups of six.

OSU requests that only children over the age of six attend as the concert is recorded and podcast worldwide. For more information, visit www.orchestraofsouthernutah.org. or call 586-2286.