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DREAM THEATER Keyboardist's 'Explorations For Keyboard And Orchestra'

September 21, 2010

"Explorations For Keyboard And Orchestra" is a new composition by DREAM THEATER's keyboardist Jordan Rudess. It is Rudess' first composition for orchestra and fulfills a dream that began as a prodigy at the renowned Juilliard School of Music.

"I once had the opportunity at Juilliard to watch Pierre Boulez conduct Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring'," Jordan says. "The passion in the composition combined with the power of the full orchestral sound made a huge impact on me. I've sat in front of my synthesizers for years, twisting the knobs, trying to recreate that power. With 'Explorations', I will finally be able to hear one of my own compositions brought to life by that unmistakable sound of a live acoustic orchestra".

He adds, "'Explorations' is a total "progressive" music experience. 'Progressive' in that it is a forward thinking composition fusing my classical and progressive/metal sensibilities, but also progressive in that I will be playing a keyboard connected to an Apple Macbook Pro running Mainstage software . In writing this composition, I was able to bring together the elements of the most influential classical music I've experienced, along with the rock power and intensity that I am known for in my work with DREAM THEATER."

In addition to "Explorations", Rudess and the orchestra will also perform music from DREAM THEATER's repertoire, including "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence". Rudess says, "I personally invite all of my fans in Venezuela to come to this concert and experience DREAM THEATER's music in a symphonic setting. Imagine the power of DREAM THEATER's music realized by full string, wind, brass and percussion sections! DREAM THEATER's fans in Venezuela are some of the most passionate fans we have and their classical orchestras are renown throughout the world. That's why I've chosen Venezuela to premiere my first symphonic work."

One of the amazing things about the concerts in Venezuela will be the introduction of a phenomenal young talent from Turkey named Eren Basbug.

Jordan says: "Eren was introduced to me through the magic of YouTube. Someone forwarded me a video of Eren performing orchestrations of numerous DREAM THEATER pieces beautifully. "He created the orchestrations, assembled a full orchestra and conducted them in concert. I was so impressed by his talent and energy that I got in touch with him and told him about my idea to write a piece for keyboard and orchestra. Needless to say, he wanted to be involved and helped me make that happen.

"At the world premiere of 'Explorations for Keyboard and Orchestra', I will be playing all of the keyboard/synthesizer parts. With Eren flying in from Turkey to conduct the enthusiastic Chacao Youth Symphony Orchestra and myself coming from New York City, it looks like we are set for a 'night to remember.'"

The concert will take place on Friday, November 19 at Centro Cultural Corp Banca in Caracas, Venezuela.

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