Author: BFC

“Arias coming from the opera program at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music are about to be raised a few decibels,” writes Molly Glentzer in Monday’s (12/19) Houston Chronicle (Texas). “The school announced Monday that it will break ground in September on a new music, theater and opera building designed by Allan Greenberg Architect LLC. that will be connected by a plaza to the school’s existing Alice Pratt Brown Hall. The combined facility, to be called the Rice University Music and Performing Arts Center, will further energize the west end of the campus, where the new Moody Center for the Arts is nearly completed, to create ‘a real hub of arts activity,’ Shepherd School dean Robert Yekovich said…. The 84,000-square foot facility will house a three-tiered, 600-seat, European-style opera theater with an orchestra pit for 70 musicians…. The facility will be used by the entire university—including … orchestral and chamber music programs…. Joshua Dachs of New York’s Fisher Dachs Associates … is designing the theater. The Chicago-based firm Threshold Acoustics … will create the state-of-the-art ‘pin-drop’ acoustic experience.… University officials … project a July 2020 opening. Yekovich said the school has raised $90 million of the projected $100 million-plus cost.”

Posted December 21, 2016

“Music director David Robertson and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra have announced a one-year extension of Robertson’s contract, through the 2018-19 season,” writes Sarah Bryan Miller in Tuesday’s (12/20) St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “At the end of that season, his 14th, Robertson will conclude his tenure with the SLSO…. Robertson said that he didn’t have a new assignment with another orchestra. ‘When the time comes, it will be 14 years of intense and rewarding collaboration’ [Robertson said].… Robertson is also music director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and works widely as a guest conductor. He and his wife, pianist Orli Shaham, live in New York City with their 9-year-old twin sons, Nathan and Alex…. Orchestra president and CEO Marie-Hélène Bernard noted Robertson’s ‘signature adventurous programming, deep artistic collaborations and award-winning recordings. His leadership of the SLSO in countless performances have been met with enthusiastic acclaim…. As an orchestra builder, Robertson is credited with hiring over 40 percent of the ensemble.’ … SLSO vice president Adam Crane said, ‘We will make the 2018-19 season celebratory for David. We will announce more plans to honor his legacy in the coming weeks.’ ”

Posted December 21, 2016

David Robertson photo by Scott Ferguson

The New York Philharmonic has announced a partnership with Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Academy that will publicly launch with a January 28, 2017 chamber concert at Lincoln Center’s Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse in New York City. Under the partnership, four New York Philharmonic musicians, all Interlochen alumni, will travel to the school’s Michigan campus in mid-January for educational activities, and select students will travel to New York to attend a Philharmonic rehearsal and the January 28 concert. Alongside works by 20th-century masters Poulenc and Shostakovich, the students’ program will showcase the music of Nico Muhly, TJ Cole, and other young American composers with links to Interlochen. Philharmonic musicians participating in the collaboration are violinist Kuan Cheng Lu, bassoonist Roger Nye, horn player R. Allen Spanjer, and trumpet player Ethan Bensdorf. The Interlochen Arts Academy, which was also featured at the 2016 NY Phil Biennial, is the only high school outside New York City to work with the New York Philharmonic.

Posted December 20, 2016

“The San Antonio Symphony announced new leadership roles Monday to bolster the future success of the organization,” writes Rocio Guenther in Friday’s (12/16) Rivard Report (San Antonio, TX). “Earlier this year, the San Antonio Symphony’s board and major donors released the terms of a $600,000 funding agreement meant to lift the organization out of … a pattern of operating deficits for the last 30 years…. The operations team hopes to strengthen the foundation of the nonprofit performing arts organization and reinforce future development plans. This week, organization leadership promoted ‘additional dedicated staffers to roles where their experience, passion, and drive will continue to shine.’ Karina Bharne, former vice president of concert production, has been named vice president and general manager of the symphony…. The symphony has hired Jessica M. Anderson as vice president of marketing and public relations…. Annette Paulin, who served as director of grants for the symphony for four years, has been named vice president of development.” Said San Antonio Symphony President David Gross, “The San Antonio Symphony is fortunate to have these three extremely gifted professionals in leadership roles. I am confident that Karina, Jessica, and Annette will contribute greatly to the Symphony’s future success.”

Posted December 20, 2016

“Michael Jonnes, executive director of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, announced his retirement Monday, saying it is time to hand over the reins to the next generation,” writes Dave McMillion in Monday’s (12/19) Herald-Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland).“Besides Hagerstown, Jonnes has worked for 34 years managing orchestras in Brooklyn, Washington, D.C., Jackson, Tenn., and Springfield, Mass. He became executive director of the MSO in 2013, succeeding Tamara Nuzzaci Park. Jonnes, 66, said he plans to stay on the job until the orchestra’s annual Salute to Independence in July to help with the transition process…. The executive director oversees daily operations of the Hagerstown-based orchestra and a staff of about five to six people. The MSO, which performs at The Maryland Theatre downtown, has an annual budget of about $1.45 million and an endowment fund of about $2.5 million. Jonnes works with Music Director Elizabeth Schulze on programming, and negotiates contracts for use of the theater and with personnel, including soloists. He said that working with Schulze has been a ‘special treat’ because she has taken the orchestra to new heights.… A search committee … will be formed to search for a successor.… The process will take about six months.”

Posted December 20, 2016

“David Cooper, principal horn of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra since 2013, has won one of the most prestigious orchestra posts in the world: principal horn of the Berlin Philharmonic,” writes Scott Cantrell in Monday’s (12/19) Dallas Morning News. “He’ll take the job in September 2017. The Berlin orchestra is among the world’s most famous, touring and recording extensively—and, in more recent years, streaming concerts over the internet. Simon Rattle will remain as the orchestra’s chief conductor until 2018; in 2019 he’ll be succeeded by Kirill Petrenko.… Cooper initially joined [the DSO] in 2011 as third horn after serving as associate principal horn of the Fort Worth Symphony. He won the principal chair in the National Symphony in Washington in 2013, but elected to stay with the DSO and assume the first chair here. A third-generation horn player in his family, he was trained at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. A player of satin-finished tone, astonishing breath control and elegant expression, Cooper has led the DSO horn section to new heights…. Cooper is the second DSO principal recently tapped by top-tier orchestras. Former principal flute Demarre McGill left at the end of last season for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.”

Posted December 20, 2016

“The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has undergone an abrupt, major change in leadership—with the departure of several board members and a new board chair now in place,” write Marsha Lederman and Robert Harris in Friday’s (12/16) Globe and Mail (Canada). “Late Friday, the TSO announced that Richard Phillips, chair of the board for the past year, and a member for the past six, was no longer with the organization. Four of the other five members of the board’s executive committee have also left, including Sonia Baxendale, who stepped in as acting chief executive officer … last March…. Catherine Beck, who joined the TSO Board just this past year, is the newly elected chair…. The organization is seeking both a new permanent CEO [while Gary Hanson serves as interim CEO] and a new music director.” Peter Oundjian, as previously announced, plans to step down in 2018. Monday’s (12/21] Toronto Star noted, “TSO also issued a new statement on Monday … about Phillips’ departure… ‘The decision to leave the TSO was entirely Richard’s, who had the support of the board at all times. The other directors who stepped aside also did so voluntarily and independently came to their decisions for diverse reasons.’ ”

Posted December 20, 2016

“Leonardo Soto and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will bring Leonard Mark Lewis’ percussion concerto ‘Evolution’ to life Jan. 6 and 7,” writes Lawrence Toppman in Monday’s (12/19) Charlotte Observer (North Carolina) about the coming world premiere. “CSO music director Christopher Warren-Green features his players every season; as he says, ‘I am always looking for opportunities to champion our own talented musicians in new and interesting ways.’ He suggested Joseph Schwantner’s flamboyant percussion concerto to Soto, but the great Evelyn Glennie had already played it here. So the symphony took Lewis’ 21-minute piece, pairing it shrewdly with Beethoven’s overture to ‘Fidelio’ and Schubert’s towering Ninth Symphony. ‘I’m glad to be opening for Schubert,’ says Lewis, smiling. ‘That ought to draw some people.’ … Soto’s studio at Queens University … roughly resembles the set-up you’ll see on the Belk Theater stage.… A gorgeous new marimba stands catercorner to a vibraphone. A full set of timpani have been tucked into one corner, with a stand-up drum kit across the room. In between come crotales, which look like tiny cymbals.… Lewis structured ‘Evolution’ (which Soto named) as two movements separated by a brief, quieter interlude. ‘Lyricism is my voice as a composer,’ he says.”

Posted December 20, 2016

Pictured: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra timpanist Leonardo Soto and composer Leonard Mark Lewis. Photo by David T. Foster III

Two Music 101 lectures that were canceled during the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s work stoppage have been rescheduled. Double bassist John Moore will present “It’s All About the Bass” on February 22, and horn player Stephen Kostyniak will offer “Blowing My Own Horn” on May 17. Music 101 lectures—a series of informal lunchtime lecture-recitals presented at the Dorothy Porter Simmons Regency Rooms of Heinz Hall—are open to the public and have a $2 admission fee. Speakers discuss their musical lives and instruments, and there are short musical performances. The remaining Music 101 lectures for 2016-17 will be presented as previously announced on February 1 (violinist Jennifer Orchard), March 17 (conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier), and April 18 (bass clarinet Jack Howell).

Posted December 19, 2016