St. Thomas Orchestra May 9 spring concert

Conductor Bernard Tamosaitis and pianist Sayuri Iida – who have made Mamaroneck their home for two decades – will headline St. Thomas Orchestra’s May 9 concert in White Plains.

The orchestra’s all-Russian spring program, titled “A Night in Moscow,” will put the couple’s Juilliard-trained talents to work in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, made famous by Van Cliburn’s rendition when he won the 1958 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow during the Cold War.

“It’s very majestic, powerful and romantic,” said Tamosaitis in an interview.

With its sweeping opening melody and crashing piano chords, the concerto is one of the most familiar and beloved works of music in the classical canon. Its distinctive theme has been used in radio programs, commercials and films.

“It’s one of the big standard pieces – very inviting, with excitement right away,” said Iida, sitting next to Tamosaitis in their kitchen. The Tchaikovsky is also fiendishly difficult for the pianist, with very fast octaves, quick arpeggios and dense chordal textures.

Iida, 62, noted that time stands still for no one and “each time you can do it, it’s a big thing.” Having had recent hand surgery in Japan, she is “very happy” about her physical condition for the task, saying “this time is very special.”

The concert also includes Glinka’s lively Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila and Shostakovich’s dramatic Symphony No 5.

The couple met when they were students at the Juilliard School. They have performed chamber music together (Tamosaitis is also an accomplished cellist) and Iida has appeared previously with STO, which Tamosaitis co-founded in 2002. Tamosaitis and Iida also give lessons on their respective instruments and have two grown children, Alex and Lori. In addition to his musical activities, Tamosaitis has a thriving real estate appraisal business.

When asked what it’s like conducting your spouse, Tamosaitis responded, “you have to listen to each other very carefully. Here, she is the soloist and I have to listen and accommodate her and what she feels.”

That sounds like the recipe for a successful marriage.

St. Thomas Orchestra (www.storchestra.org) concert: 7:30 pm, Saturday, May 9, White Plains High School concert auditorium, 550 North St., White Plains, NY. Tickets: $20/adults, $10 students, $45 families. Available at www.showtix4u.com and at the door. A reception follows the concert. Sponsored by Steinway & Sons. For information, phone 917 379 2260.

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