Edgewood Symphony Performs with Nationally Known Pianist Saturday

One of the greatest pianists in the nation will perform Beethoven’s fourth concerto for the first time ever with the Edgewood Symphony this Saturday night.

Enrique Graf, originally from Uruguay, formerly taught the symphony’s musical director of six years, Walter Morales of Regent Square.

“He was looking forward to trying it out here in Pittsburgh,” Morales said. “It’s going to be great to hear him perform the piece himself.”

The 70-member, all-volunteer Edgewood Symphony will perform at the

The Strauss Waltz, Merry Wives of Windsor and Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony are among the pieces to be performed this weekend.

Richard and Marilyn Myers of Gibsonia, formerly of Edgewood, are a married team of musicians involved in running the community symphony. Richard is president of the board while Marilyn is secretary.

“We have existed here for 23 years and it’s the place where the locals can go and hear first-class, classical music at a good price with good parking and see some of their local friends,” Marilyn said.

Richard said he feels the symphony carries on the legacy Edgewood has as a neighborhood.

“By bearing the name of Edgewood, which gave us a home, we like to think we carry the name of Edgewood into other communities and help it maintain the fact that it’s a special kind of place,” he said. “It’s one of the few neighborhoods of its size that is represented by a really good community orchestra.”

Musicians in the Edgewood Symphony, which is sponsored by the Edgewood Foundation, come from the neighborhood for which it is named, Mars, Washington, Latrobe, and several eastern suburbs.

said the group has become a staple of the neighborhood.

“The Edgewood Foundation was a key player in supporting the symphony when it made its move to Edgewood from Wilkinsburg,” Winslow said.  as we continue to be one of their major supporters. How many communities can boast that they are the home of a well-regarded symphony?”

Marilyn, who plays second violin with the symphony, said she is excited to perform this weekend.

“I am looking forward to playing the Beethoven concerto, which is a big privilege to me to be playing such great music and I also love playing the Strauss waltz,” Marilyn said.

Richard is confident that this weekend’s show will be one of the best.

“I am looking forward to a standing ovation from an audience that has enjoyed it as we have constantly made this orchestra better and better,” he said.

Tickets for Saturday’s performance are $12 for general admission and $8 for seniors and students. For more information about the Edgewood Symphony or to buy tickets, visit the website here.