Wow, is it April already? By now I’d be looking wistfully at the end of the season, awaiting the summer months were I would have some restful times, some travel, and some festivals…
This month looks fairly light on paper – but much was not known when it was printed. For example, we would have had a performance for our annual Gala (by the way, please check out the Gala – it’s going to be an amazing collection of talent and the need is greater than ever for whatever support you can give – with online galas, the smaller individual gifts can be just as important as the major gifts! Check it all out here: https://www.orsymphony.org/support-us/special-events/2021/gala-2021-the-music-plays-on/
The month would have started out with a Classical Series concert – Markus Stenz would be on the podium, and one of my favorite violinists of all, Augustin Hadelich, would be our soloist. The concerto would not be a warhorse, but a newer piece by the Irish composer Donnacha Dennehy, who has a wonderful reputation for accessible, vibrant works. I’m hoping that as artists from this season a rescheduled back into our upcoming seasons, that this concerto and soloist combination will reappear! Copland’s lesser-known Music for the Theatre (which I adore) and Dvorak’s New World Symphony fill out the program.
The next Classical Series program, which ends the month, is another intriguing one. A pairing by composer Hans Abrahamson is the first half: his arrangement of Debussy’s Children’s Corner and Abrahamson’s piano concerto Left, alone, for piano – left hand, with soloist Tamara Stefanovich. On the second half, a piece by Lutoslawsi and Shostakovich’s Sixth Symphony, which I’ve never played – I also hope to get another chance at much of this program!
If you’ve read this far, I will take this opportunity to invite you to take a listen to my podcast Classical Currents – there are five episodes out to date, with a sixth coming this Friday, April 16th at midnight. Check out the page here: https://www.classicalcurrents.com/cc-podcast/