Kansas City Symphony to Make First-Ever European Tour This Summer

In last Wednesday’s (3/27)  FOX4KC (Kansas City, Missouri), Grant Flanders reports, “The Kansas City Symphony is heading to Europe in August for an inaugural tour. KC Symphony announced on Tuesday the first-ever European tour in the orchestra’s 42-year history while welcoming new music director, Matthias Pintscher. The ensemble will play in three renowned European concert halls: Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and Germany’s Berliner Philharmonie for the Musikfest Berlin festival…. ‘We are ready for this challenge and eager to demonstrate how American musicians perform at the highest level,’ Pintscher said. KC Symphony … will play in the Concertgebouw on Aug. 26, Berlin Philharmonie on Aug. 28, and Elbphilharmonie on Aug. 29. The orchestra will perform pieces written by five composers including Charles Ives, Leonard Bernstein, Maurice Ravel, and Aaron Copland. Joining the KC Symphony on the tour is acclaimed pianist Conrad Tao who will play George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue.’ Pintscher received his music director role in Kansas City last spring, attracting venues the orchestra has never played…. Pintscher said, ‘This opportunity is a gift and tribute to the people of Kansas City, as we assume the role of ambassadors in three breathtaking cities.’ ”