Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra celebrates the life of James Biddle
The PYAO performs an outdoor concert in the gardens of Andalusia Estate
in Bucks County
Philadelphia - May 23, 2005
Conductor Louis Scaglione directs the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra in
"Voices of Spring", A Tribute to the Life of James Biddle. The concert
takes place on the grounds of the Andalusia Estate, located in Bucks County
on the bank of the Delaware River. The event is open to the public and attendees
have the opportunity to tour the gardens and grounds. The concert begins at
6:00 p.m.
James Biddle, "Jimmy" to his friends, was the great-great grandson of Nicholas
Biddle, noted 19th century banker and antagonist of President Andrew Jackson.
James was a leader of the US historic preservation movement. Over the course
of his career he held the positions of curator of the Metropolitan Museum of
Art American Wing, historical furnishings advisor to First Ladies Jacqueline
Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson, bicentennial celebration consultant to President
Richard Nixon, and President of The National Trust for Historic Preservation.
He retired in 1980 to devote himself to the restoration and preservation of
the Andalusia Estate, which had been in the Biddle family since 1814. He was
once quoted in Travel and Leisure Magazine as saying, "We Americans must decide
if we want to preserve what we have or if we just want to pave it over, high-rise
and factory it." James passed away this spring.
Andalusia is comprised of several restored structures and features some of the
few remaining acres of natural forest along the river bank. The largest building,
the "Big House" as it is known, is perhaps the best maintained example of Greek
Revival domestic architecture in the US, and is furnished in American Empire
Style. Other notable structures include the Billard Room, Gothic Cottage, and
hothouses, which once contained a miniature vineyard. The gates open at 4:00
p.m. for attendees who would like to tour the grounds.
The PYAO will perform a concert featuring Hummel's Concerto for Trumpet in E-flat
major, Dvorák's Carnival, and "The Moldau" from Smetana's Ma Vlast.
This is the last performance of this ensemble and of the Philadelphia Youth
Orchestra program for the 2004-05 season.
Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 5, 2005 (rain date)
Arts at Andalusia, Voices of Spring
Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra
Louis Scaglione, conductor
Steven Limpert, trumpet
Hummel Concerto for Trumpet in E-flat major
Dvorák Carnival
Smetana "The Moldau" from Ma Vlast
Sousa Liberty Bell March
Sousa Stars and Stripes
Forever
Andalusia Estate
1237 State Road, Bensalem, PA
$10 General Admission at gate
Gates open at 4:00 p.m
215.245.5479
