Paul McCartney's Nova, an orchestral adaptation composed by McCartney for his late wife, Linda, will have its North American premiere this Fall.Nova will be part of Heart Strings event and will be performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Friday, September 7, 2012, 8 p.m., at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, to benefit pediatric cardiac research.
"We are so honored Pittsburgh and its magnificent symphony will host and perform NOVA's North American premiere," said Kris Fischerkeller, who with her husband, Paul, founded Rock for the Heart after their son Matthew passed away suddenly at age 16 because of cardiac arrest. "We are equally excited about the importance of generating awareness about sudden cardiac arrest among children and teenagers."
Guest artists who will be performing at the Heart Strings event include:
Pittsburgh's own Annie Rago, the only American to graduate from the Royal Academy in London this year, and has performed for the Queen of England and across the United Kingdom.
Peter Beets – A world acclaimed piano giant of our time performing his jazz arrangement of Sir Paul's, A Leaf.
Steel Magnolia – Winners of CMT's, Can You Duet music contest and named the 2012 Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Duo of the Year will perform Maybe I'm Amazed with the PSO
Sarah Darling – Nashville recording artist whose video rendition of Mr. McCartney's Blackbird made an exclusive premiere on CMT and went to number one
Paulette McWilliams – Reviver Music/Sony recording artist with her new record "Telling Stories" is climbing the jazz charts. She is well known for her work as a backup singer for Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Billy Idol, Luther Vandross and others.
Bill Champlin – a 30-year member of the award-winning band, Chicago. Champlin won GRAMMY Awards from The Recording Academy for After the Love is Gone with Earth Wind and Fire, and Turn Your Love Around for George Benson. Champlin will end the night with a monumental McCartney song.
"While the music is certainly the hallmark of the evening, the goal is to raise money for important medical research," said Fischerkeller, "and businesses across southwestern Pennsylvania are invited to align with this momentous event." The world premiere of NOVA was performed in 2005 at Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Argentina, produced by Dennis D'Amico it was the number one classical venue in the world, with two sold-out shows that received five-star reviews. Dennis D'Amico will also produce the North American Premiere of NOVA at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh.