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CORVALLIS - The Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marlan Carlson, will open its season on Friday, Sept.13 with a unique and varied program, "From Vienna and Beijing, with Love." The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State University campus.

While four of the works on the program are from the pen of Viennese masters - Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven - Chinese guest artist, Guo Min, will present an arrangement of a Sanbei folk song, "Lan Hua Hua," for er'hu and orchestra. (The er'hu is a two-stringed, bowed instrument.) It portrays the story of a beautiful village girl who is forced into an unhappy marriage with the scion of a local landed family.

The opening work on the program is the first movement of the Oboe Concerto in C Major by Haydn, featuring Heather Bolstad, an incoming OSU freshman and the recipient of an OSU Presidential Scholarship. Bolstad compiled an outstanding record of accomplishments while at Ashland High School, and last May won third place in the State Solo Contest.

Local flutist Abigail Sperling will perform the First Movement of the Flute Concerto No. 2 by Mozart. Sperling has won many honors as a flutist, including third place in the 2002 State Solo Contest. She has also played with a local funk band, Lunar Vibe, and will be entering OSU this fall to major in music.

Corvallis favorite Alexander Tutunov returns for his fourth appearance with the orchestra, in a performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor.

Concluding the program will be a performance of Beethoven's "Choral Fantasy" featuring the Corvallis Repertory Singers, conducted by Steven Zielke, and featuring Tutunov playing the piano solo.

"This concert is being presented as part of a series of events commemorating Sept. 11, remembering those who perished, honoring the heroism of those who responded, and encouraging reflection on how each individual can contribute to world peace," Carlson said.

High school and college students are admitted free with ID; younger students are free when accompanied by an adult. Adult tickets are available for $18 at the OSU Department of Music, Emporium Department Store, Creative Crafts and Frame Shop, Gracewinds Music, Grass Roots Bookstore, Scandinavian Trading Company and at Sid Stevens Jewelers in Albany.

For more information call 541-737-4061.