01 Jun 2025 Conway Symphony Orchestra concludes 40th season with Tchaikovsky Concerto

Conway Symphony Orchestra (CSO) concluded its 2024-25 season with “Transformations,” presented by First Community Bank, on April 26 in the Windgate Center Concert Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus. 

Maestro Israel Getzov, now in his 20th season with CSO, conducted the all-Tchaikovsky concert in a suite from the ballet “Swan Lake” and the dazzling Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring pianist Neil Rutman who is a native of San Francisco and a graduate of the Eastman School and Peabody Conservatory. He is the Klipsch Artist-in-Residence at UCA and has served as Head of Piano studies and Professor of Music at UCA for over 35 years. 

As a young man Rutman distinguished himself as a top prize winner in several international competitions. He has since appeared in Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Tokyo’s Bunka Kaikan, and the Schola Cantorum in Paris with concert tours of the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, Japan, China and the Persian Gulf. “The Tchaikovsky First Concerto is nothing short of amazing — brilliant, extroverted and romantic — it always leaves the audience thrilled,” Rutman said. Although he is retiring at the end of this academic year, he will continue his career as a performer and teacher. 

The CSO Board of Directors hosted a post-concert reception to thank the community for their support over many years and to celebrate CSO’s successful 40th season, as well as Getzov’s 20th year. 

After the performance the audience had the chance to meet the musicians, enjoy a piece of anniversary cake and made a champagne toast the future.