Concert Preview: Boston University Chamber Orchestra

Concluding this semester’s series of orchestral concerts, Boston University Chamber Orchestra conducted by Sarah Ioannides presents a program of comedy, romantic landscapes, and the pioneering American spirit. Rossini’s Overture to the Barber of Seville (1816) was interestingly composed for a different opera (seria) entirely, Aureliano in Palmira (1813), It was subsequently used for a historical opera, Elizabeth, Queen of England, showcasing the multifaceted compositional prowess Rossini possessed. This overture leads into rather lush pastures with pioneering Venezuelan composer, Teresa Carreño’s Serenade for Strings (1895). The string serenade lineage can be traced back to other famous works such as Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (1787), however Carreño forgoes the traditional construction of a string serenade and instead paints a picturesque panorama of the pastures in Pertisau, a small village in the Austrian Alps. From the pastures of Pertisau, Aaron Copland transports us to the open prairie landscapes of the American Frontier with his Appalachian Spring Suite (1945.) Originally a ballet commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, Copland displays a story of a pioneering couple beginning their new life on the frontier. The suite presents 8 different sections from the ballet, ending with variations of the famous Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.”

Concert Preview: Symphony Tacoma presents “Holiday Favorites”

Get into the holiday spirit with our lively Holiday Favorites concert featuring all the classics you love! Enjoy an enchanting evening as your Symphony Tacoma musicians are joined by the talented Symphony Tacoma Voices and Tacoma Youth Chorus. Don’t miss out on this annual family favorite—grab your tickets now and make this holiday season unforgettable!

Concert Preview: Symphony Tacoma presents “Passion & Intrigue”

Symphony Tacoma is ready to ignite the concert stage with its upcoming “Passion & Intrigue” concert, a special homecoming featuring two-time Grammy award winner J’Nai Bridges. On Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:30pm, the historic Pantages Theater will come alive with a dramatic fusion of fiery Spanish themes, exotic tales from the East, and powerful operatic moments, creating an evening of intense emotion and mesmerizing storytelling expertly conducted by Symphony Tacoma Music Director Sarah Ioannides  

J’Nai has captured the world’s attention with her lush, velvety voice and powerful stage presence. Her illustrious career spans performances with major opera houses and orchestras, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Acclaimed for her interpretations of both classic and contemporary repertoire, J’Nai’s artistry resonates deeply with audiences, earning her accolades and solidifying her status as one of today’s most captivating vocal talents.

J’Nai’s homecoming to Tacoma is more than just a performance; it’s a heartfelt reunion with the community that nurtured her early passion for music. This highly anticipated appearance with Symphony Tacoma promises to be an emotional and exhilarating experience as audiences witness a hometown star bringing her world-class talent back to where it all began. With a voice that embodies warmth and elegance, her presence on the stage will elevate the evening, creating a moment of shared pride and musical brilliance.

After intermission, audiences will be treated to Georges Bizet’s Suites for Carmen, bringing to life the fiery passions and intense drama of his iconic opera Carmen. In Suite No. 1, Bizet’s powerful melodies and infectious rhythms are transformed into a vivid orchestral suite that captures the exotic spirit of Spain. From the sultry “Habanera” (featuring J’Nai) to the carefree “Séguedille,” Bizet’s music conveys a world of love, betrayal, and fate, with each movement offering a new layer of emotional depth.

J’Nai takes centerstage to breathe life into Maurice Ravel’s evocative Shéhérazade. This exquisite song cycle embodies the allure and mystique of the legendary tales of the Arabian Nights. Ravel’s expressive work promises to transport the audience into an enchanting world of storytelling and musical splendor, capturing the essence of longing and intrigue with its blend of exoticism and subtle drama.

Symphony Tacoma’s Passion & Intrigue (Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m.) promises to be a homecoming no one will soon forget with the immense stage presence of J’Nai Bridges coming home to the Pantages Theater and Maestro Ioannides leading Symphony Tacoma through an evening of Passion & Intrigue.

Concert Wrap-Up: Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra “Nicholas Namoradze gives Rachmaninoff a delicate and poetic treatment”

The concert opened with a newly composed tone poem by Kelly Marie Murphy entitled Dark Nights, Bright Stars, Vast University — once again appropriate to a night of the full moon. Calgary-trained and now living in Ottawa, Murphy has produced many fine orchestral works. Her music always has a strong rhythmic profile, and this element was very much part of this new work. Particularly impressive here was the sophistication of the orchestral scoring and the elaboration of the engaging thematic material, the programmatic structure of the piece was clear and convincing. Of her many fine works, this was particularly successful, at least on one hearing, even getting a thumbs up from my own highly conservative son, whose tastes stop at Rachmaninoff.

Seated where I was, I had no difficulty hearing the piano, and Namoradze’s account of this famous work, was convincing and enjoyable, most especially in the brilliant coda to the final movement, which built to a tremendous climax. In response to the terrific applause, Namoradze, now fully polished in his stage deportment, provided a rhapsodic account of Granados’s familiar The Maiden and the Nightingale, taking the audience into an inner emotional space, something in which Namoradze excels.

The program concluded with a clear, precisely delivered account of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. Conductor Sarah Ioannides led the CPO with vigour and a thorough engagement with the score. Among the many delights were the expertly rendered solo spots for the first chair players, giving the impression of a high degree of professionalism throughout the ranks. The oriental atmosphere of the work was beautifully captured in a poised and solid performance.

As Annie Glen Broder commented about Rachmaninoff’s solo concert in Calgary, this was a satisfying concert — or, if one prefers the updated version, it was terrific.

Concert Preview: Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Let the Calgary Phil envelop you in sumptuous orchestral sound with the passionate drama of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto, starring 2018 Honens Prize Laureate Nicolas Namoradze. Conductor Sarah Ioannides then leads the Orchestra in Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s fantastical symphonic suite inspired by tales from the Arabian Nights. The concert opens with Kelly-Marie Murphy’s striking tone poem that explores the mystery and beauty of a starry sky.

Dallas Symphony – Women in Classical Music Symposium 

We can’t wait to welcome you to the sixth annual Women in Classical Music Symposium November 3-5, 2024! This year’s virtual symposium will bring together administrators, educators, composers, musicians and conductors from around the world to gather in meaningful conversations, panels and discussions alike.

Programming at this year’s Symposium will focus on a range of topics such as the implementation of AI in music; how industry leaders are programming concerts with the future in mind; exploration of the music of indigenous peoples; and how classical music can challenge genre boundaries and promote diversification.

“Harmony in Motion: Achieving Worklife Balance & Closing Remarks” – A discussion on achieving work-life balance from women in a variety of professions, in various stages of their personal lives/family building.