Movie music and guest pianist in symphony opener

Spider Man will meet James Bond when Federal Way Symphony and Hollywood merge next month in the symphony’s season-opening concert.

Performances Oct. 2-3 will feature the movie theme from “Spider Man” (composed by Danny Elfman) and music familiar to fans of the James Bond spy flicks, “Jaws” and the Spellbound Concerto by Mike Rozsa and “Felix the Cat.”

Also scheduled is guest artist Sara Buechner, a pianist from Vancouver, B.C. who has gained critical acclaim from New York City to Japan. She’s won prizes at music competitions in Europe and Australia.

Joseph Banno, a Washington Post music critic, once wrote that a performance by Buechner “had a beauty that might have taken even Mozart’s breath away.”

The symphony’s season will feature other guest artists from the Ukraine, Russia and Romania.

The symphony again is under the direction of music director/conductor Brian Davenport.

The October shows will be at St. Luke’s Church at 515 S. 312th St. in Federal Way at 8 p.m. Oct. 2 and 2 p.m. Oct. 3. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors, increased in price for the first time in several years, according to Elizabeth Johnson, president of the symphony board. Children 18 and under will be admitted free.

Season tickets ($90 adults, $80 seniors) are priced the same as last year and are on sale through the symphony office at (253) 529-9877 and at concerts, officials said.

“We are confident that we are providing a variety of music which everyone will enjoy” in this year’s concert series, Johnson said.

After next month’s opening shows, ensuing concerts will be Dec. 4-5, Feb. 5-6, March 5-6, April 3 and May 7-8.

Additional information is available at www.federalwaysymphony.org and fwsorch@mindspring.com.

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