Author: Jennifer Melick

“Get outside or get out of town. Both are fine options for Twin Cities classical music lovers,” writes Rob Hubbard in Thursday’s (6/30) Star Tribune (Minneapolis). “Or, if a nice air-conditioned concert sounds more like your cup of iced tea, consider catching some of what the Minnesota Orchestra is presenting at Orchestra Hall…. This summer … each weekend July 15-31, one of [Beethoven’s] symphonies and a piano work, courtesy of ‘creative partner’ Jon Kimura Parker, will be presented…. ‘Immortal Beethoven,’ an original theatrical work about the composer [will be presented] July 30… Minnesota Beethoven Festival … in Winona always boasts an impressive roster of international classical musicians…. Highlights include concerts by the Merz Trio … the Ariel Quartet … [and guitarist] Pablo Sáinz Villegas…. Musicians from many of America’s major orchestras and opera companies converge upon the Brainerd Lakes area for this annual four-week Lakes Area Music Festival… Next week, the Minnesota Orchestra will present four free outdoor concerts… The Minnesota Sinfonia is presenting seven free outdoor concerts during July [at] Como Lakeside Pavilion, St. Paul [and] Lake Harriet Band Shell, Mpls…. Speaking of the Lake Harriet Band Shell, that’s where the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra will perform concerts each Saturday and Sunday in July.”

“For forty years, Music in the Mountains has brought world-class entertainment to Nevada County with an emphasis on classical music and choir,” writes Hollie Grimaldi Flores in Wednesday’s (6/29) Union (Nevada County, CA). “This July, the organization brings … a live soundtrack to … this weekend’s presentation of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.’ The orchestra was meant to assemble in front of a giant screen at the Nevada County Fairgrounds … but due to evacuations from the Rice’s Fire, the concert is now being held at the Center for the Arts in downtown Grass Valley…. Players from … orchestras … including the San Francisco Symphony and Opera, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, LA Opera, Washington National Symphony, and the Symphony San Jose come in to make the festival orchestra [led by Artistic Director Ryan Murray].… Music in the Mountains is gearing up for their traditional 3rd of July, ‘Happy Birthday USA,’ featuring both orchestra and choir…. A flyover … is also planned as part of the evening. Happy Birthday USA was also scheduled for the Nevada County Fairgrounds, but has been relocated to Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley…. Music in the Mountains concludes Summerfest” on July 9.

“On the Fourth of July, Greater Columbus residents will celebrate the independence of America, but in its annual ‘Patriotic Pops’ concert, the Columbus Symphony will have another birthday in mind, too,” writes Peter Tonguette in Wednesday’s (6/29) Columbus Dispatch (OH). “The Independence Day-themed concert … will feature all the usual patriotic fare…. But running through the program will be the music of John Williams, the Academy Award-winning film composer who turned 90 in February. ‘I can’t think of a more patriotic or American composer,’ said Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz of Williams…. On Sunday, the Westerville Symphony Orchestra will offer … its first Independence Day-themed performance since before the pandemic…. ‘I think we learned around 9/11 that communities need to come together, and the orchestra provides a wonderful opportunity to do that,’ said [Music Director Peter Stafford] Wilson….The orchestra [will perform] movements from the ‘Grand Canyon Suite’ and ‘Mississippi Suite’ by Ferde Grofe and ‘Liberty Fanfare’ by John Williams…. On … July 4 … the Central Ohio Symphony will offer … movie music … a salute to the armed forces … patriotic staples [and] Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture.’ … Fireworks will follow…. ‘They’re all ordered and ready to go,’ [Executive Director Warren] Hyer said.”

“Metropolitan Opera Orchestra principal oboe Nathan Hughes has been named to the same key position with the Minnesota Orchestra,” writes Susan Elliott in Thursday’s (6/30) Musical America (subscription required). “The St. Paul, MN, native starts officially at his new band’s New Year’s celebrations, Dec. 31, 2022 and Jan. 1, 2023, and will also participate in its November recording sessions of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3. Last fall he served for three months as interim, when Minnesota’s principal John Snow retired. Hughes is also on the faculty of Juilliard and will remain so. He is one of outgoing Music Director Osmo Vänskä’s final appointments…. Hughes, who grew up listening to this orchestra, said he felt ‘so warmly welcomed’ when he played with the group and noted the support the orchestra received from its surrounding community. He is the former principal oboe of the Seattle Symphony and has recorded and toured as guest principal with the major orchestras of Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. He is also an active chamber artist and has led oboe masterclasses at major international conservatories. In other MET Orchestra news, Brad Gemeinhardt has moved up to the position of principal horn.”

On October 22, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform the U.S. premiere of The Way of the Rain—Hope for Earth, a multidisciplinary performance co-presented by EarthX, a Dallas-based nonprofit promoting environmental awareness. The Way of the Rain tells the story of the formation of the universe, the evolution of galaxies, and the birth of Earth. The work was created and directed by Sibylle Szaggars Redford in collaboration with composer Tim Janis and performance/film artist Floyd Thomas McBee; Robert Redford will serve as narrator. The performance at Meyerson Symphony Center will be conducted by Julien Benichou. The Way of Rain was originally planned for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020 at Dallas’s Music Hall in Fair Park but was delayed due to the pandemic. EarthX founder Trammell S. Crow said, “We were struck by the beauty of Sibylle Szaggars Redford’s powerful piece and knew that we had to include this in our 50th Celebration of Earth Day Week festivities. After more than two years we are thrilled to be hosting this special evening in Dallas with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.”

“Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Festival Tour has a lot to like,” writes Chris Mays in Wednesday’s (6/29) Brattleboro Reformer (VT). “ ‘It’s a mix of a full orchestra playing music that quite often, people know, but in a relaxing atmosphere with your kids running around and your picnics,’ said [executive director] Elise Brunelle…. When planning for the festival’s return since COVID-19, prices for everything were rising. Fireworks would be four times more expensive than before, Brunelle said. The orchestra could not cover the cost. The Grafton community raised money, making it the only community with fireworks on the [July 1-10] tour…. Other stops on the tour [Manchester, South Pomfret, Shelburne, East Pomfret, Shelburne, East Burke, Stowe] are getting ‘a smaller, localized light show,’ Brunelle said…. This year’s program … will feature music from ‘West Side Story,’ John Philip Sousa marches, the William Tell Overture, and songs by John Williams and Aaron Copland. The orchestra will be conducted by Julian Pellicano … one of seven candidates for Vermont Symphony Orchestra music director…. Pellicano said the concert celebrates the birth of the nation and the orchestra bringing the tour back after two summers off due to COVID.”

“There’s only one place we know of where you can ring in America’s birthday with yoga, set to live orchestra music, on a rooftop,” writes Elizabeth Worthington in Tuesday’s (6/28) WNEP-TV (Scranton, PA). “Hilary Steinberg, the owner of Jaya Yoga in Clarks Summit, has helped organize Yoga on the Roof for nearly a decade’s worth of Independence Days…. ‘The energy is palpable, and the music is transformative,’ Steinberg said. That music comes from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. This year’s event … supports its multiple music education programs throughout the region…. ‘It’s one of the best regional orchestras in the state,’ board member Carol Dembert, who helps organize this event, said…. Funds raised from this event go towards ‘Music in our Schools,’ ‘Meet the Maestra,’ ‘NEPA Philharmonic’s Young People’s Concert,’ and ‘Mentoring Program’ for talented regional high school students…. Donna Vannan… the owner of Maximum Zen Bakery [which] is providing post-yoga treats, [says], ‘I think music is a very important part of life, and it’s wonderful that (the Philharmonic’s) around, and people can participate with the yoga.’ ” Nancy Sanderson is executive director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic; Mélisse Brunet is music director.

“The Georgia Symphony Orchestra board of directors has announced the appointment of Nathaniel F. Parker, DMA, as The Dr. Bobbie Bailey Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras Artistic Director,” reads an unsigned article in Monday’s (6/27) Marietta Daily Journal (GA). “Parker will continue to serve as the GSO’s associate conductor and as director of the GYSO Symphony ensemble. The newly created position was named in honor of a $1 million endowment and $10,000 grant the GSO received earlier this year … in support of its youth education program. In his new role, Parker will serve as the artistic head of the GYSO program, oversee the directors of GYSO’s 13 music ensembles…. He will report to GSO Music Director … Timothy Verville…. Parker is director of orchestral studies at the Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music at Kennesaw State University. He also serves as music director and conductor of the KSU Symphony Orchestra and teaches … conducting, symphonic literature and music appreciation. Parker earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from Michigan State University … a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from [Ohio’s] Bowling Green State University [and] a Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance from Arizona State University.”

“It was 1990 when Steven Braunstein first moved to the Bay Area … to take a job as the San Francisco Symphony’s contrabassoonist,” writes Joshua Kosman in Friday’s (6/24) San Francisco Chronicle. “More than three decades later, on Tuesday, June 21, Braunstein announced his retirement…. Across the seasons, Braunstein has performed … memorable contrabassoon solos.… Braunstein is far from alone in being a lifer…. Stephen Paulson, the principal bassoonist … has occupied his post since 1977… He continues to play with tenderness, clarity and wit. Principal horn Robert Ward joined the orchestra in 1980…. Concertmaster Alexander Barantschik has been with the orchestra for more than 20 years…. The stability of an orchestra contributes to the consistency and character of its artistry, [creating] a distinctive musical style that is ideally a reflection of long and close collaboration. ‘It develops out of respect and trust and listening,’ Braunstein told me…. The orchestra is facing a comparatively large turnover in personnel, due in part to the number of members who decided that the pandemic shutdown was an opportune time to retire…. ‘The culture of how the orchestra plays needs to be nurtured, so that the good things we’ve achieved over the last 30 or 40 years won’t evaporate,’ Braunstein said.”