“The Gavilán Brothers, violinist Ilmar with pianist and composer Aldo López, led a fascinating musical odyssey” at Rhode Island’s Newport Classical Music Festival on July 9, writes Stephen Martorella in Monday’s (7/11) Boston Musical Intelligencer. “Newport commissioned American composer Shawn E. Okpebholo for a piece that reflected some of the history surrounding historic Rhode Island…. The result, Okpebholo’s Crooked Shanks, develops a tune of the same name composed in the mid 1700’s by a former slave, Newport Gardner, who resided in Newport…. Gardner … purchased his freedom in 1791…. He composed several tunes, of which Crooked Shanks appeared in books of English dancing-tunes as early as 1768…. Okpebholo’s free adaptation of Gardner’s tune produced a tone-poem of immense beauty infused with Afro-Cuban flavorings. It was written specifically for Aldo López-Gavilán, who performed it with sensitivity and dynamic energy. The Crooked Shanks tune was not easily identified, as its original conception as a dancing tune in 6/8 time was never present. Only the notes of the theme were hinted at, gradually rising out of an impressionistic mist…. The second section [used] Afro-American and Cuban infused rhythms, some associated with ‘rag-time’ music, and building in speed and intensity.”
Author: Jennifer Melick
Jennifer Melick, Symphony magazine’s former longtime managing editor, is a freelance journalist based in Detroit.
St. Louis Symphony to demolish 19th-century Culver House in preparation for Powell Hall renovation/expansion
“Demolition is expected to begin as soon as Monday on a historic house next to Powell Hall,” writes Farrah Anderson in Wednesday’s (7/13) St. Louis Public Radio. “Preservationists … for months tried to persuade the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra to save the 19th-century house. Symphony officials are having it torn down to prepare for the $100 million renovation and expansion of Powell Hall…. The home was filled with asbestos, black mold and rotting wood, symphony officials said…. As the house is not located within a city historical district or preservation review district, it was not protected from demolition…. The Culver House is known by other names, including the old Portfolio Gallery building and the Stephen Allen Bemis House. It’s been home to art galleries and chiropractors and was left vacant when the symphony acquired the house in the summer of 2015. The renovation of Powell Hall will make the symphony more accessible for patrons and ensure the symphony has enough space to rehearse and perform in the future, [St. Louis Symphony Orchestra representative Eric] Dundon said. Workers salvaged many pieces of the house … including some wood, doors and stained-glass windows. Many of those pieces were given to the St. Louis nonprofit ReFab.”
Springfield Symphony musicians tap former music director Kevin Rhodes as artistic advisor
“Kevin Rhodes, who led the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for 20 years, has been named artistic advisor of the … Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, or MOSSO,” writes Ray Kelly in Wednesday’s (7/13) Republican (Springfield, MA). “Rhodes’ contract was not renewed by the SSO Board of Directors in 2021, ending his tenure as music director since 1991. He returned to Springfield last October to conduct the full MOSSO ensemble in its first Symphony Hall performance, and will return again on July 21 to [conduct] music of John Williams…. MOSSO was formed by the symphony musicians last year during their prolonged contract dispute with the SSO board. Rhodes will assist the orchestra in building its repertoire for its Symphony Hall concerts and its chamber music performances throughout Western Massachusetts, according to MOSSO chair Beth Welty. ‘When his schedule permits, he may conduct and perform with his MOSSO,’ Welty said…. Three months ago, MOSSO unveiled an executive team headed by Douglas C. Evans, who was credited with turning around The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford as CEO before leaving in 2000.”
Students of Afghanistan National Institute of Music make music—and new lives—in Portugal
“On a sweltering May morning … a series of unfamiliar sounds emanated from the top of a former military hospital in western Lisbon,” writes Javier C. Hernández in Wednesday’s (7/13) New York Times. “The strumming of a sitar, the pounding of tablas, the plucking of a violin—these were coming from the hospital, now the makeshift home of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. More than two dozen of its young musicians had gathered for one of their first rehearsals since arriving as refugees in December. Under the American-backed government in Kabul, the institute, which opened in 2010, had flourished, becoming a symbol of Afghanistan’s changing identity…. While many programs focused exclusively on Afghan culture or Western music, it embraced both, preparing hundreds of young artists, many of them orphans and street hawkers, for careers in the performing arts…. Fearing for their safety, more than 250 students and teachers as well as their relatives, fled Afghanistan and sought shelter abroad … after the American withdrawal, eventually arriving in Portugal, where they were all granted asylum…. In Portugal, the Afghans enjoy newfound freedoms…. But life in Lisbon has also been a challenge…. The students often dream about Afghanistan.” Read about how American orchestras and the classical music community are helping refugee musicians in Symphony magazine.
Obituary: Conductor Bramwell Tovey, music director at multiple North American orchestras, 69
“Bramwell Tovey, named music director of the Sarasota Orchestra just under one year ago, died at his home in Rhode Island on July 12, one day after his 69th birthday,” writes Susan Elliott in Wednesday’s (7/13) Musical America (subscription required). “Tovey was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma in May of 2019 but had seemed to be in recovery following surgery shortly thereafter. In January of this year, scans indicated the return of the disease. He served as principal conductor and artistic director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra from 2018, one of a spate of appointments that year, following his departure after 18 years from the artistic helm of [Canada’s] Vancouver Symphony. He was also named Director of Orchestral Activities at Boston University, principal conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra, principal guest conductor with Orchestre Symphonique de Québec…. He enjoyed a very active career as a guest conductor,” including regular engagements with the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic. “Born in East London, Tovey played in Salvation Army bands, moving from tuba, to piano, to conducting. A last-minute substitution … conducting the London Symphony Orchestra brought him to Leonard Bernstein’s attention, and [he attended] classes and rehearsals with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the Tanglewood Music Center…. He … founded [Vancouver Symphony’s] school of music, which now bears his name.” He is survived by three children and his partner, Verena De Neovel. The Rhode Island Philharmonic, Sarasota Orchestra, and Vancouver Symphony have posted memorial messages on their websites.
35 orchestra and arts professionals to attend League’s Essentials of Orchestra Management program
Thirty-five orchestra and arts professionals from the United States and Canada have been selected to participate in Essentials of Orchestra Management, the League of American Orchestras’ flagship leadership-development program. The ten-day seminar, running July 24-August 2, 2022, is presented in collaboration with Juilliard Extension and will take place in New York City at Juilliard’s Lincoln Center Campus. America’s premier program for early- and mid-career orchestra and arts professionals, Essentials of Orchestra Management offers a pathway to future leadership and career success; over 500 individuals have participated in the program since its inception in 2000. Essentials educates, connects, and inspires tomorrow’s leaders, providing them the knowledge they need to enhance their careers and the orchestra field as a whole. This year’s Essentials participants come from orchestras, ensembles, and performing arts organizations of all sizes throughout the U.S. and Canada. Topics include artistic planning and artistic leadership models; development and strategic planning; equity, diversity, and inclusion; education, community engagement, and community programs; human resources and organizational culture; leadership and governance; marketing and communications; and negotiations. The seminar also includes a concert and tour of Carnegie Hall, and peer discussion and mentoring opportunities. Visit https://americanorchestras.org/event/2022-essentials-of-orchestra-management/ for the complete list of Essentials participants and faculty.
Administrative shifts at San Francisco Symphony
“Oliver Theil has left the San Francisco Symphony [and] Robin Freeman will serve as the interim chief marketing and communications officer,” writes Janos Gereben in last Thursday’s (7/7) San Francisco Classical Voice. “That news was confirmed today by SF Symphony Director of Public Relations Taryn Lott in an email: ‘Changes were made last week to the structure of the Symphony’s administrative team. The marketing and communications departments were merged to better support the organization’s work in audience development and concert promotion. The in-house video department was dissolved in a strategic move towards working with independent contractors with specialized skill sets, catered to the bespoke needs of future digital projects. The changes were part of a strategic internal restructure and will not impact … any of the organization’s public-facing programs.’ … Beginning in 1991, [Theil] had important positions with the orchestra, including a role on the team for the acclaimed series Keeping Score, in addition to other work. Then, two years ago, he was shifted full-time from media and public relations to digital innovation…. The SF Symphony continued to serve as a model for orchestras through its in-house production and media company SFS Media, its robust use of technology, its self-produced content, and award-winning television programs and recordings.”
Changes in Philadelphia Orchestra marketing personnel
“Charlie Wade, longtime marketing guru of the American orchestra world, has decided to step down from his post as VP of marketing for the Philadelphia Orchestra,” writes Susan Elliott in Friday’s (7/8) Musical America (subscription required). “Even before the pandemic, he had been a non-resident staffer, commuting regularly from Seattle where he and his family made their home when he was appointed Sr. VP of marketing and business operations for the Seattle Symphony in 2014. After he left that orchestra, in 2019, he turned to consulting and Philadelphia became one of his clients. ‘I had only intended to work for a few months …’ he writes in an email, [but] ‘it was such an interesting challenge and such great people to work with … that it was hard to not to see it through a little longer.’ Wade was committed to seeing the completion of the merger between the orchestra and the Kimmel Center…. The orchestra apparently will not search for a successor. Instead, it hired Geoffrey Cohen in May to serve as associate marketing VP, serving under Crystal Brewe, chief marketing and audience experience officer…. Cohen previously worked with the Philadelphia Orchestra for nearly ten years.”
Bang on a Can’s summertime “new music utopia”
“ ‘We felt there should be a place where people interested in experimental culture could meet on purpose,’ ” says Bang on a Can co-founder David Lang in an article by James Sullivan in Thursday’s (7/7) Boston Globe. “Having launched Bang on a Can with a marathon concert in 1987, the cofounders [who include Michael Gordon and Julia Wolfe] spent years looking to the art world for cues on how best to implement their ideas for the summer institute.” The year’s Bang on a Can Summer Festival for young composers and performers runs July 11-31 at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. “This year’s ‘new music utopia’ at Mass MoCA will feature more than two dozen young composers and players working with the summer faculty. Each day begins with a movement class, segues into workshops and rehearsals, and ends up with late-afternoon recitals…. Visitors to the galleries during the weeks of ‘Banglewood’ (as the festival is affectionately nicknamed) will encounter musicians collaborating and practicing.” Says Lang, “To me, the point of Bang on a Can is that it’s a way of listening for what is new in music. You can apply that questioning to everything you hear.”
George Jackson named Amarillo Symphony’s next music director
“The Amarillo Symphony recently announced that George Jackson will take over as the new music director,” writes David Gay in Monday’s (7/11) KAMR-TV/KCIT-TV (Amarillo, TX). “Jackson is expected to begin his tenure in September and will have an initial three-year term…. The search for the symphony’s new music director and conductor began after the symphony’s former director and conductor Jacomo Bairos ended his tenure with the symphony in November 2021. There were three finalists who participated in two performances each during the symphony’s 2022 season…. Jeff Booth, the leader of the symphony’s music director search committee, said … ‘We were impressed with how he inspired our musicians…. Off the podium, we viewed his ideas for the future of our Symphony and for collaboration with the other arts organizations in our area to be innovative and creative. We appreciate his vision for working with our youth and our schools.’ … Jackson … is based out of London, England…. Along with being the symphony’s conductor, Jackson will help with the symphony’s music program as well as its community outreach efforts. ‘When I first conducted the Amarillo Symphony earlier this year, I knew immediately that this was a very special orchestra,’ Jackson said.”