Duquesne will recognize Maestro Manfred Honeck, esteemed music director of the GRAMMY Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO), with an honorary Doctor of Music degree presented on the University’s campus on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra concert in the Power Center Ballroom. University President Ken Gormley will award the degree to Honeck, a celebrated conductor who has led the PSO since 2008.
Under the direction of Daniel Meyer, the Duquesne Symphony Orchestra will perform Stravinsky’s The Fairy’s Kiss: Divertimento and Honeck's arrangement of the Symphonic Suite from Puccini’s Turandot. Maestro Honeck himself will take the podium to conduct the orchestra’s performance of Strauss’ Frühlingsstimmen.
“Manfred Honeck’s contributions to the world of music are extraordinary, and his leadership has elevated the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to new heights,” said Gormley. “It is an honor for Duquesne University to recognize his achievements and to celebrate the strong bond between our University, the Mary Pappert School of Music and the beloved Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.”
The concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is general admission, and there will be a $10 suggested cash donation at the door. The concert will be live-streamed on the music school’s IEMMA Broadcast Network.
“This is such a wonderful event—Maestro Honeck has done so much for the Pittsburgh music community, and to recognize his efforts on such a high level is truly well-deserved,” Music Dean David Allen Wehr remarked. “The wealth of knowledge and experience he brings to the podium as he leads our orchestra is second-to-none. I am extremely proud that our students have exceptional opportunities like this—and so many others—to broaden their musical education.”
The celebrations continue at Duquesne Day at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, Feb. 23, at the iconic Heinz Hall, where President Gormley will publicly bestow the honorary degree upon Honeck and recognize the many School of Music faculty who perform with the PSO.
Preceded by a 1 p.m. reception for Duquesne University students, faculty, employees and alumni, the PSO concert will feature Honeck conducting the symphony for a stellar repertoire, including Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 with the renowned Emmanuel Ax on piano, the PSO premiere of Korngold’s Symphony in F-Sharp Major and the world premiere of Hannah Ishizaki’s Spin, a PSO commission. Discounted tickets for the performance can be obtained by Duquesne employees and students online if you register by Wednesday, Feb. 12.
This series of events not only celebrates the remarkable contributions of Manfred Honeck but also highlights the deep connections between Duquesne University and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, fostering a rich cultural and educational exchange that benefits the entire community.
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