“Robert Moody, who first riveted the City of Arts and Innovation 14 years ago with his electrifying public audition, will conduct his last concerts as music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony next weekend,” writes Lynn Felder in Sunday’s (5/13) Winston-Salem Journal (N.C.). “He is leaving to become the full-time music director at the Memphis Symphony…. In his 13 years as music director, Moody has raised the level of musicianship in the symphony…. He has programmed innovative music, brought in high-caliber guest artists; and increased audience size and diversity…. Under Moody’s leadership, the symphony added a Plugged-In Pops Series, the Discovery Concerts for Kids Series, a Handel’s ‘Messiah’ performance and the Kicked-Back Classics series…. Moody oversaw the addition of several orchestra programs for young people…. For his final concerts … the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorale will join the orchestra on stage for Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2— ‘Resurrection’—and the final trio and duet from Act III of ‘Der Rosenkavalier,’ by Richard Strauss.” E. Merritt Vale, president and chief executive of the symphony, said, “There is a diverse and eclectic audience now…. We’ve had increased subscribership in the Classics and … in the new offerings that we now present as a result of Bob’s vision.”
Posted May 15, 2018
