NYS Music 2023

Category: Classical

  • Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra Presents “Faces of Joy” This November With Piano Soloist Andrew Russo

    The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra presents “Faces of Joy” this November, an exhilarating concert of joyful classical works, both old and new.

    The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra is the Southern Tier’s largest and longest-serving symphony orchestra. Today, the Binghamton Philharmonic serves 10,000+ people annually through innovative, engaging, and affordable programming– connecting professional musicians with audiences to stimulate the economy, and expand music’s possibilities for a broad listenership– within and beyond the concert hall.

    The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra will feature a guest piano soloist Andrew Russo, a musician known for his diverse interests from business to music.

    A Syracuse native, Russo graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School and spent his early years studying with William Goodrum and Steven Heyman. He earned his bachelor and master degrees at The Juliard School, followed by post-graduate studies in Leipzig and Paris with pianist/alternative pedagogue Frederic Chiu. He has performed in many of the world’s cultural capitals including Paris, London, Moscow, Rome, Brussels, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Buenos Aires.

    His appearance as a finalist in the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition drew public attention when he became the first pianist to perform a significant work using alternative techniques requiring the inside and frame of the piano as well as the keys. He was featured in Peter Rosen’s internationally broadcast documentary “Playing on the Edge” not long after the competition and profiled in New York Times writer James Barron’s book, The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand.

    With twelve commercial recordings to his credit, the highlight of Andrew’s recording career was a 2007 Grammy nomination for his Black Box Records release of music by John Corigliano. His video of Jacob TV’s “The Body of Your Dreams” has become a popular draw on YouTube and was broadcast on Dutch television. Andrew’s most recent recording on Naxos featured new works by Aaron Kernis, including Three Flavors for piano and orchestra, commissioned by Russo and premiered with David Alan Miller and the Albany Symphony Orchestra.

    Russo continues to perform as a recitalist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician, with several appearances each season. He lives in the scenic Skaneateles, NY with his wife Natalia and their children Andrei and Mila.

    The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Faces of Joy” will take place Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 7:30pm. In addition, the orchestra will hold free community events in advance of “Faces of Joy,” including “Music as Play” (November 16 at 6:30pm) and “Ab ordine libertas (From Order Comes Freedom): How Composers Balance Restraint and Joy” (November 18 at 6:30pm).

    Tickets to “Faces of Joy” will be $25 to $65 per person, available on their website or by calling (607)723-3931.

  • NY-Based Classical Musicians Curate ‘Connecting Through Sound’ at St. John’s

    New York-based Canadian musicians Joenne Dumitrascu and Jelena Cingara have teamed up to create the new recital series Connecting Through Sound. Now in its third installment, the duo will be coming to St. John’s in the Village on Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m.

    Joenne Dumitrascu trained formally as a violinist, pianist, and composer, performing professionally as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Koerner Hall, La Scala, and more. She was a guest artist on WFMT’s Relevant Tones with Seth Boustead: Discovery Series and has collaborated with members of the Emerson String Quartet (ESQ) on several chamber music projects, including the New Music for Strings Festival in Denmark.

    Her recording career ranges from contemporary music to film and TV soundtracks, including Atom Egoyan’s 2009 film Chloe and TV show Nikita, as well as recording work with the Screen Composers Guild of Canada and WGBH in Boston. As a music coach, she trains young artists in the highly acclaimed JSE ensemble in New York City.

    Jelena Cingara is an active performer and teaching artist in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Her career includes a series of solo, chamber, and collaborative international recitals, two decades of piano pedagogy, and a wide range of chamber music performances. She has performed in concert venues such as Carnegie Hall, Libby Gardner, Dumke, Abravanel Hall, and many more.

    During her training years, she was a prizewinner of numerous piano competitions as well as a recipient of several scholarships. She has performed at the Off-Broadway/Broadway production The Last Boy in the summer of 2021 and April 2022 respectively, as well as in The Kiss of the Spider Woman (Scarborough Players Theatre), Carrie (Utah Rep Theatre), and Charlie Brown (Toledo Theatre).

    Connecting Through Sound is now in its third installment, featuring Beethoven, the French classics of Debussy and Saint-Saens, and the works of modern composers. Its goal is to bring people together who share a passion for music and culture. The event features a one-hour concert and wine reception to follow where the audience is invited to the beautiful St. Benedict’s Courtyard.

    Music gives us the ability to connect to people from diverse backgrounds, both in the physical form of meeting audiences at concerts but also perhaps on a more psychological level. In many ways, it not only writes history through sound, but it taps into every human emotion. So it’s a way for all of us to also connect to the past, to connect through these works to other cultures. I have a very diverse background, so being able to connect through music to people who are complete strangers is a beautiful thing. It was actually the basis of starting the series of shows for me. We live in a very divided world in 2023 and the need for human connection is more important than ever.

    Joenne Dumitrascu

    For more information about Connecting Through Sound and to purchase tickets, visit here.

    https://youtu.be/Nv1l52Zg2X0?si=gKMJiCJDmdgizS-_

  • New York Youth Symphony To Debut ‘Crescendo’ At The Kaufman Center

    The New York Youth Symphony has debuted a brand new orchestra, Crescendo, set to play their first concert titled Breaking New Ground on November 20 at Merkin Hall at The Kaufman Center. Directed by Tanya Chanphanitpornkit, the youth orchestra is a free program for New York City students.

    New York Youth Symphony

    The New York Youth Symphony provides NYC students access to music in an immersive and educational experience. Crescendo, the new orchestra group for string players aged 10-18, will play a selection of six pieces at Merkin Hall, including Mendelssohn, Bologne, and more.

    Crescendo

    The Kaufman Music Center presents music programs for students, performers, and audiences alike. Merkin Hall is the center’s most intimate venue, hosting workshops, performances, and competitions throughout the year.

    Crescendo will debut Breaking New Ground on November 20 at 7PM at Merkin Hall at The Kaufman Center. Tickets are available here.

  • New York Philharmonic Presents Centennial Young People’s Concerts

    The New York Philharmonic is approaching the 100th anniversary of the annual Young People’s Concerts, a series of programming on Saturday afternoons geared towards children and families. The series aims to inspire music appreciation through interactive displays and performances of timeless classics and world premieres.

    Kwamé Ryan, director of 'Celebration' - Photo Credit: Zycopolis Productions New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concerts
    Kwamé Ryan, director of ‘Celebration’ – Photo Credit: Zycopolis Productions

    This season, the Philharmonic will present four YPCs highlighting the program’s history, modern themes, and future developments. All of the events are directed and designed by Doug Fitch, and take place in the Wu Tsai Theater at David Geffen Hall at 2PM.

    The first event, titled Time Capsule, will take place on November 18. Conducted and hosted by Thomas Wilkins, the show takes inspiration from previous Young People’s Concerts, featuring works by Rossini, Elgar, Jessie Montgomery, and Leonard Bernstein. The show will see the world premiere of Bunmi Afariogun (age 11), alongside Fiona Khuong-Huu (age 16) in her NY Philharmonic debut.

    Fantasy and Imagination will take place on January 20, conducted by Jerry Hou and hosted by NY Phil Teaching Artist Justin Jay Hines. The show will celebrate imagination and the power of music, featuring Musorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, and new works by Very Young Composers participants.

    Kwamé Ryan, conductor of 'Celebration' Photo Credit: Mark Allen New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concerts
    Photo Credit: Mark Allen

    Next, Composing Inclusion will debut on April 20. Conducted and hosted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, in his NY Phil debut, the show will present a collaboration between the NY Phil, American Composers Forum, and The Juilliard School’s Preparatory Division. With selections from William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, the NY Phil will be joined by students from Juilliard’s Preparatory Division and Pre-College Orchestra.

    Finally, Celebration will be conducted and hosted by Kwamé Ryan in his NY Phil debut on May 4. Accompanied by Sheku Kanneh-Mason as a soloist, the show closes out the YPC centennial by exploring humor in music throughout history.

    Alongside the Young People’s Concerts, the NY Phil presents YPC Overtures, where children can try out instruments, listen to music by Very Young Composers participants, and participate in interactive workshops. YPC Overtures begin at 1PM on the day of the concert.

    More information and tickets for New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concerts, visit nyphil.org/calendar.

  • Anna Kuwabara Announces Resignation as Executive Director of Albany Symphony

    Anna Kuwabara, the executive director of the Albany Symphony, has announced her resignation, effective January 31, 2024.

    Kuwabara, who joined the Albany Symphony in July 2017, played a crucial role during her tenure. She coincided her first day with the launch of Water Music New York, a celebration of the Erie Canal’s bicentennial through a series of free community concerts across the state. Her departure will be followed by the Symphony’s Board of Directors initiating the search for a new executive director.

    Photo Courtesy Of Capital Region Living

    Faith Takes, Chair of the Albany Symphony Board of Directors, expressed gratitude for Kuwabara’s leadership and dedication over her six-and-a-half-year stint. Under her guidance, the organization deepened its ties within the Capital Region community, initiated inclusion, diversity, equity, and access efforts, underwent two strategic planning processes, and navigated negotiations for two collective bargaining agreements with the Albany Musicians’ Association.

    Kuwabara, alongside the management team, orchestra musicians, and David Alan Miller, successfully steered the Albany Symphony through the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the absence of in-person concert audiences, the power of music was upheld and continued to resonate within homes.

    David Alan Miller, the Music Director and Conductor, acknowledged Anna Kuwabara’s invaluable contributions. “We all appreciate Anna’s hard work, dedication, and kindness over the past several years, particularly her inspired leadership guiding our orchestra through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. I wish her the very best on her next endeavor,” Miller stated.

    Anna Kuwabara is appreciative for her time with the Albany Symphony, remarking on the extraordinary nature of the organization and the Capital Region. She spoke of her fondness for the staff, talented musicians, David Alan Miller, the dedicated Board, Vanguard volunteers, and loyal Symphony supporters. She will hold the Albany Symphony close to her heart as it approaches its 100th anniversary.

    Throughout Kuwabara’s tenure, the Albany Symphony spearheaded several projects and initiatives that enriched the community, expanded the boundaries of classical music, and brought recognition and acclaim to the Capital Region. These initiatives included an invitation for the Albany Symphony to perform at the Kennedy Center’s SHIFT Festival in Washington, D.C., commemorating the WWI Armistice Centennial, and hosting the Sing Out! New York Festival to celebrate New York State’s leading role as a champion of civil liberties. Additionally, the 2019-2020 Season celebrated Phenomenal Women in Music, and the Convergence initiative aimed to explore and build relationships with Black cultural arts, culminating in the 2023 Convergence American Music Festival. The Albany Symphony also introduced the Soundtrack New York Film Music Festival, showcasing extraordinary music from classic films, video games, and popular movies. The organization secured its second GRAMMY win for Christopher Theofanidis’ Viola Concerto featuring Richard O’Neill.

    The Albany Symphony is a renowned music institution celebrating its commitment to enriching the community through exceptional orchestral performances and engaging initiatives. For more information, visit albanysymphony.com/

  • Binghamton Philharmonic Delivers Chills and Thrills with “Phantom of the Philharmonic”

    On Saturday, October 28, at the Broome County Forum Theatre, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra kicked off its 2023-2024 Pops Series with “Phantom of the Philharmonic,” a lively performance of Halloween-themed music from stage, screen, and concert hall. Guest conductor Grant Cooper, resplendent in a Dracula cape, led the orchestra in such hair-raising classics as the theme from Halloween, the Psycho Suite, and “Night on Bald Mountain.”

    The Bat Cannon Fires! Phantom of the Philharmonic
    The Bat Cannon Fires! at Phantom of the Philharmonic

    The orchestra reveled in the repertoire, demonstrating their exceptional dynamic range and clearly having fun at the same time. Many in the audience – including lots of kids – were impressively costumed, and showed their appreciation for the expert playing and Maestro Cooper’s engaging dialogue with a standing ovation.

    Phantom of the Philharmonic
    Isis Stungurys, Bailey Dembski, Logan Merril

    The Phiharmonic’s concertmaster Uli Speth took a star turn as the violin soloist in the haunting “Danse macabre” of Camille Saint-Saëns, and concert-goers were treated to a range of special effects, from multi-colored smoke to a cannon that released bat-shaped confetti at the climactic moment in Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

    Amanda and Mark Green

    Future Pops Series performances this season include the holiday concert Winter Wonderland, and Pops at the Forum, featuring the music of John Williams, Led Zeppelin, and more!

    Nuci Pedraza and Peter Ortu

    The Binghamton Philharmonic’s Symphonic Series continues on November 18 with Faces of Joy, featuring Philharmonic favorite Andrew Russo as the piano soloist in Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto. For more information, visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.

    Zaidon Harrington

  • Albany Symphony November Concert to Feature “The Blue Danube”

    The two-time GRAMMY Award-winning Albany Symphony, led by Music Director David Alan Miller, presents a concert that includes one of the most beloved works in the repertory and a soon-to-be new favorite “dance symphony,” evoking early rock ‘n’ roll at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

    Recognized as one of America’s most innovative and creative orchestras, the two-time GRAMMY Award-winning Albany Symphony is renowned for performances featuring classic orchestral favorites, lesser-heard masterworks, and a diverse array of new music from leading and emerging voices of today. The Symphony has received more ASCAP Awards than any other orchestra in America, as well as several GRAMMY nominations, including the orchestra’s most recent win in 2021.

    Led by Music Director David Alan Miller, the Symphony presents a core classical series throughout the region, each featuring a world-premiere or recent composition; a multi-day American Music Festival that celebrates established and emerging living composers; performances by its cutting-edge new music chamber ensemble, the Dogs of Desire; and a family series and holiday concerts in collaboration with youth performing arts groups. The Albany Symphony’s award-winning education programs include Symphony in Our Schools, which brings musicians into classrooms for interactive music education.

    Founded in 1930 in New York’s Capital Region, the Albany Symphony serves a diverse regional audience covering more than seven counties and parts of three states. It regularly serves as an ambassador for new music and Upstate innovation beyond the Capital Region.

    This gorgeous concert will absolutely delight you, bringing two Romantic masterpieces together with Michael Daugherty’s amazing orchestral tour-de-forces. I’m particularly excited to present Tchaikovsky’s glorious Third Symphony, the work of a brilliant young composer that leads the way directly to his major masterpieces, ‘Swan Lake’ and the Symphony No. 4. Strauss’ ‘Blue Danube,’ and Michael’s ‘Last Dance at the Surf,’ will make everyone want to jump up and dance, and ‘To the New World,’ a riveting tribute to Neil Armstrong and the Apollo 11 mission, is a glorious tone poem about space travel. Audiences of all ages will love this program!

    Music Director and Conductor David Alan Miller. 

    Michael Daugherty, a composer, pianist, and music educator is a long-time friend of the Albany Symphony. Two of Daugherty’s pieces will be performed including, “Last Dance at the Surf” and “To the New World.” 

    One of Daugherty’s favorite road trips in Iowa, the state where he grew up, was to the majestic Surf Ballroom. Many of America’s famous swing, jazz, and rock-n-roll bands have performed at this venue for music lovers who dance the night away. In memory of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper who gave their last performances at the Winter Dance Party tour in 1959 before their plane crashed, and in celebration of the Surf Ballroom being declared a National Historic Landmark in January 2021, Daugherty’s piece will be performed on the November program.

    “My dance symphony starts with woodblocks and pizzicato strings, playing a five-note rhythmic groove reminiscent of a Buddy Holly guitar riff. This groove is repeated in various transformations throughout the composition and provides a counterpoint to the main theme, a syncopated ascending melody played in unison by the woodwinds. The main theme goes through elaborate rhythmic and timbral developments, followed by a rousing ‘rockabilly’ section,” Daugherty said.

    His piece “To the New World,” is about the 1969 Apollo-11 space mission. Like the rocket, which separated into three stages after lift-off, and the spacecraft, which was divided into three modules, his 22-minute composition is divided into three movements.

    “The Blue Danube” is one of the most consistently played pieces in classical repertoire. Johann Strauss Jr. originally wrote the work for a carnival choir with satirical lyrics. The instrumental version, which will be performed at the November concert, is by far the more popular version played today. The piece was first performed in the United States in 1867. For pop culture fans, the piece is used in several movies and shows. Most recently, it was used throughout the 2021 Netflix series, Squid Game. Johann Strauss Jr. was born into a very musical family in Austria. As a child, he secretly took violin lessons because his father wanted him to become a banker, not a musician. However, his mother supported his dreams and Strauss moved forward making music his career.

    The evening will conclude with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3 also known as Polish. It is the only one of Tchaikovsky’s seven symphonies that is in a major key and the only one to contain five movements. During its first performance in the UK, conductor Sir August Manns referred to it as the Polish symphony because of the recurring Polish dance rhythms in the final movement. The piece was originally premiered in 1875 in Moscow. Ballet lovers may recognize the work from the Diamonds section of George Balanchine’s full-length ballet Jewels premiered in 1967.

    The Albany Symphony November Concert will take place at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Saturday, November 11, and Sunday, November 12.

    For ticket information, visit this website.

  • Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Presents “Music Meets Art” This November

    The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL) has announced the first show of the 2023-24 Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series, titled “Music Meets Art” on November 10. The show features the Chrystallum Quartet, alongside visual artist Suyen Lau, performing live alongside each other onstage.

    Members of the Chrystallum Quartet (left to right): Anita Pawlak (oboe), Nolan  DeSanto (piano), Martha Weber (bassoon), and Angela McBrearty (flute/piccolo).  Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes
    Members of the Chrystallum Quartet (left to right): Anita Pawlak (oboe), Nolan DeSanto (piano), Martha Weber (bassoon), and Angela McBrearty (flute/piccolo). 

    Suyen Lau, a fine arts and design student at SUNY Corning Community College and alum of the OSFL’s Youth Orchestra, will create a new charcoal artwork onstage during the performance. The Chrystallum Quartet will play alongside her, featuring pieces by Telemann, as well as composers Alyssa Morris, and Nicole Chamberlain.

    Suyen Lau (visual artist)
    Suyen Lau (visual artist).

    The visual representation of the aural perception of music has always intrigued me. Some people are wired with strong associations between music and visual art. Suyen is gifted this way.

    Karen Dusek, Managing Director of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes

    The Chrystallum Quartet will play a selection of pieces inspired by the visual arts. “Brush Strokes” by Alyssa Morris is a musical representation of visual arts, with each movement representing artists such as Monet, Seurat, and Van Gogh. In addition, Nicole Chamberlain’s piece will be set to the silent film LeCharmeur.

    As common practice in the Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series, oral program notes will be presented by the artists throughout the program, as part of a relaxed, intimate setting for the performance. In addition, Lau’s artwork will be featured on display for audience members to view before and after the show.

    “Music Meets Art” will be presented on November 10 at 7:30PM at North Presbyterian Church at 921 College Avenue in Elmira, NY. Doors open at 6:45 for audiences to see Suyen Lau’s artwork on display. 

    Tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for students with ID, and free for veterans and children under 18. Seating is general admission. Purchase tickets in advance at OSFL.org, call 607-936-2873, or in person at the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes office, 49 Bridge Street, Corning. Ticket sales at the door will be available until sold out.

  • The Empire State Youth Orchestra Announces the 2023-24 Concert Season

    The Empire State Youth Orchestra are excited to announce their upcoming 2023-2024 season entitled ‘Breathe!’ The first concert of the season begins with a performance by the ESYO featuring William Lauricella on Saturday, October 29 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

    The Empire State Youth Orchestra challenges and inspires young people to achieve excellence through music in a progressive learning environment leading to high-level performance opportunities.  More than 500 youth from New York’s Capital Region and western New England are selected by audition each year to perform in ESYO. With 14 performing ensembles and orchestras suiting a range of playing levels, members receive training from outstanding conductors and coaches, and tutelage from extraordinary guest artists.

    In 2015, ESYO launched CHIME (Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence) in Schenectady to address fundamental inequities preventing universal access to high level music opportunities for youth. Today, this free music program serves more than 150 students in partnership with the Schenectady and Albany City School Districts. 

    Founded in 1979, ESYO is a not-for-profit organization that has been recognized as a premier music education/performance program for youth and has received three ASCAP awards.

    “I think of music like a living thing: we can explore how it breathes, and we can tune into its pulse, If an orchestra doesn’t breathe, it’s not really alive. This year, we will breathe more fully with each other and with the music, so we can live in the present moment and truly connect with each other and the world around us.”

    – Etienne Abelin Symphony Orchestra Conductor

    The engaging performance series is a celebration of unity, harmony and the collective spirit of music, allowing musicians and audiences to breathe together in the shared experience of live orchestral performances. In addition, the musicians will explore various interpretations of breath through the repertoire under an authoritarian regime. This season will challenge ESYO musicians to learn and perform a piece on stage without a conductor giving them the opportunity to sense the pulse, embody the music, breathe and work together as a whole. The public is invited to celebrate these outstanding musicians and savor the joy and magic of their live musical talent.

    Ticket information, venue details, and the full concert schedule is available at esyo.org/news-concerts.

    ESYO 2023-2024 Concert Season

    Oct 29th, 2023 – EMPIRE STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT FEATURING WILLIAM LAURICELLA – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

    Nov 5, 2023 – REPERTORY ORCHESTRA, STRING ORCHESTRA, AND CONCERTINO STRINGS – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

    Nov 5, 2023 – PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES – Brown School, Schenectady

    Nov 19, 2023 – YOUTH AND REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRAS – Carl B. Taylor Community Auditorium, SUNY Schenectady

    Dec 10, 2023 – WIND ORCHESTRA CHAMBER MUSIC – Massry Center for the Arts, College of St. Rose

    Dec 14-17, 2023 – MELODIES OF CHRISTMAS FEATURING ESYO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND MELODIES OF CHRISTMAS CHORALE – Produced by CBS 6 at Proctors Theater, Schenectady

    Dec 17, 2023 – PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES HOLIDAY CONCERT – Massry Center for the Arts, College of St. Rose

    Feb 14, 2024 – REPERTORY ORCHESTRA AND CONCERTINO STRINGS – Location TBD

    Feb 15, 2024 – STRING AND YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRAS – Carl B. Taylor Community Auditorium, SUNY Schenectady

    March 10, 2024  – WIND ORCHESTRA AND REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRA – Massry Center for the Arts, College of St. Rose

    March 11, 2024 – FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC WITH ESYO PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES – University of Albany Performing Arts Center

    March 23, 2024 – PLAYATHON – Crossgates Mall 

    April 21, 2024 – SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FEATURING THE 2024 CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNER – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

    May 4, 2024 –  REPERTORY ORCHESTRA AND STRING ORCHESTRA – Zankel Music Center – Skidmore

    May 5, 2024 – CONCERTINO STRINGS, WOODWINDS AND BRASS ENSEMBLES – Location TBD

    May 5, 2024 – PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES AND CONCERTINO PERCUSSION – Brown School

    May 10, 2024 – YOUTH AND REPERTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRAS – Carl B. Taylor Community Auditorium, SUNY Schenectady

    May 12, 2024 – WIND ORCHESTRA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA AND CHAMBER MUSIC – Massry Center for the Arts, College of St. Rose

    June 2, 2024 – FESTIVAL OF YOUNG ARTISTS – Saratoga Performing Arts Center

  • The Orchestra Now to Perform Exodus: Jewish Composers in Exile at Carnegie Hall

    The Orchestra Now is set to begin their 2023-24 season at Carnegie Hall on November 7th with a program titled Exodus: Jewish Composers in Exile, directed by Leon Botstein. The performance marks TON’s first show in New York City this seasons, and features four works. 

    Carnegie Hall, NYC

    The night’s composers will be Alexandre Tansman, Josef Tal, Walter Kaufmann and Marcel Rubin, all of whom wrote their pieces while in exile from their homelands during World War II. 

    Tansman, a multi-genre composers as well as pianist, fled Europe for the United States in 1941. His piece to be performed, Polish Rhapsody, was inspired by the invasion of Poland and dedicated “to the defenders of Warsaw.” 

    Josef Tal’s Exodus is based on the Passover Haggadah, and debuted with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra after Tal’s emigration to Jerusalem in 1942. The Orchestra Now’s performance will be the NYC debut of Exodus.

    Walter Kaufmann’s An Indian Symphony was inspired by his emigration to India, where he lived for 14 years in Bombay after exile. This performance will also be the NYC debut of An Indian Symphony.

    Finally, Marcel Rubin’s Symphony No. 4, Dies irae, is a reflection of his experiences during World War II. As a winner of the Grand Austrian State Prize for Music and the Gold Medal of Vienna, Rubin spent time in France and Mexico after leaving Vienna.

    The Orchestra Now

    Director Leon Botstein will lead The Orchestra Now in the performance of these four pieces. The show will take place on November 7 at 7PM at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Tickets are available now online at carnegiehall.org, by phone at 212.247.7800, or at the Carnegie Hall box office at 57th & Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.