After the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s “Surrealist El Tropical” concert, dance music created the atmosphere of a nightclub for concertgoers.
In Friday’s (10/4) Cincinnati Business Courier, Janelle Gelfand writes, “The Cincinnati Symphony is at the forefront of special experiences that aim to introduce new audiences to orchestral music. Still largely experimental, they might include elements of dance, lighting, theater and atmosphere to accompany a short program of classical music. The goal is to make music accessible and engage audiences who might never have considered going to the symphony or even to Music Hall…. These … programs are not replacing the traditional classical format enjoyed in concert halls around the world. But they might offer a roadmap for the future…. Post-pandemic, the orchestra world is now seeing a burst of creativity, said Simon Woods, president and CEO, League of American Orchestras, the national service group. ‘There’s real passion about engaging and bringing in new audiences…’ Woods said … ‘Where [Cincinnati Symphony’s] Music Hall sits in the city, it’s embedded in a really wonderful, vibrant part of town with restaurants and stuff happening, and younger generations of people around there. It’s a perfect test bed for this work.’ ” The article lists the season’s upcoming CSO Proof and Friday Experiences events.
