For the first time in its 100-year history, the world-renowned Vienna Symphony will play at Stephens Auditorium tonight as part of the two week North American “Centennial Tour 2000.” The last time the symphony was in North America was in 1996.

Under the baton of Vladimir Fedoseyev, this 93-member symphony is tentatively scheduled to play Wagner’s “Eine Faust-Ouverture,” Schumann’s “Concerto in A Minor for Piano” and Schubert’s “Symphony No. 9 in C Major.” The Piano Concerto will feature pianist Rudolf Buchbinder.

Sara Compton, Iowa State Center outreach assistant, said Fedoseyev is bringing the symphony out on tour more than any other past conductor has.

“[Fedoseyev] has brought the symphony into the limelight with an ambitious touring initiative,” she said.

This does not happen often.

“Orchestras don’t tour as much as they used to,” Compton said. “You have to grab the opportunity while you can. You can’t find this class of orchestral music [anywhere else around here.]”

Compton also said that a lot of luck was involved in getting the Vienna Symphony to play here.

“It’s one of the world’s great symphonies and everything just came together,” Sandy Clarke, performing arts coordinator, said.

According to Clarke, Fedoseyev is a very well-known conductor. He was the principal conductor of the Tschaikovsky Symphony Orchestra in 1974 and has received numerous awards.

Compton said Stephens Auditorium is a popular place for orchestras to perform because of its acoustics.

“[Stephens] is a huge draw; it’s a good hall,” she said. “Orchestras traditionally love to play Stephens.”

The Vienna Symphony was brought here by the Iowa State Center and the Ames International Orchestral Festival Association. The two organizations work together to bring orchestras to Ames. Sponsorship for the Vienna Symphony is being provided by Engineering Animation, Inc.

Compton said that it would cost twice as much to see the Vienna Symphony play in a major city than it does to see them here.

ISU students can purchase tickets for $20, $17 and $14. General admission is $40, $34 and $28.

The performance will start tonight at 7:30. Tickets can be purchased at any Ticketmaster location.