Rock’s finest were on display on Aug. 5 at Artpark in Lewiston, as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit took the stage, with S.G. Goodman opening. The band was touring in support of their recent release, Weathervanes.
It has been quite the journey for Jason Isbell. The former Drive By Truckers guitarist left the band in 2007 to pursue a solo career. He writes often about his sobriety journey that he started in 2012 in hopes of serving as an inspiration for others. He is often lauded as one of this generation’s best songwriters. While performing with the 400 Unit, he is backed by Sadler Vaden (guitars), Derry DeBorja (keyboards, accordion), Chad Gamble (drums) and Will Johnson (guitar, percussion). Longtime 400 Unit bass-player Jimbo Hart sat this tour out due to personal reasons.
Jason Isbell performs at the Artpark in Lewiston.
The evening would open with a set by S.G. Goodman. Promptly at 8 pm Goodman’s bandmates took to the stage and jumped right in to the groovy “Work Until I Die.” After a lengthy instrumental introduction, Goodman took to the stage and the song’s indie garage-rock sound took off. Goodman, from Hickman, Kentucky, joked with the crowd between songs. “I’m sure by the sound of my voice, you can tell I’m not from around here,” she said with a laugh and a heavy southern accent. Goodman’s songwriting really shined, as she performed tracks like “Space and Time,” a song recently covered by Tyler Childers. As the set came to a close, Goodman paid tribute to Waylon Jennings, with a cover of “Waymore’s Blues.”
S.G. Goodman performs at the Artpark in Lewiston.
At promptly 9:10 the house lights dimmed and Isbell’s familiar anchor-dove logo illuminated above the stage. Moments later Isbell and his bandmates took the stage and immediately launched into the crunchy guitar riff of “When We Were Close,” a track chronicling Isbell’s friendship with the late Justin Townes Earle. The crowd quickly stood to their feet and their energy began to build like a pot of water coming to a boil, coming to a complete boil by the third song, “King of Oklahoma.” The powerful, anthemic song saw the audience sing back the song’s chorus in near deafening fashion.
Jason Isbell performs at the Artpark in Lewiston.
As the evening moved on, Isbell’s strength as a song writer became more and more apparent. He has the ability to place the listener directly into the scene of the song, while singing songs dealing with not only his own personal struggles, but issues plaguing society as a whole. The song “Save the World” touches on the need for gun law reform, while “King of Oklahoma” tells the tale of the protagonist struggling with a painkiller addiction. Then, there are more personal songs to Isbell like “Cover Me Up” which addresses coming to sobriety, and Isbell grappling with his own mortality in “If We Were Vampires.”
Sadler Vaden performs at the Artpark in Lewiston
Isbell and his bandmates shined musically through out the evening as well, with Isbell and Vaden often trading guitar solos. Derry DeBorja added unique layers of sound with his keyboard and accordion playing. Perhaps the pinnacle moment of the evening was the band’s performance of “Miles.” The song, reminiscent of a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young track, saw layers of sound build upon each other and featured dual percussion, with Gamble and Johnson both taking seats behind a kit. This only further drove the song’s intensity, which peaked with the crash of a gong.
Jason Isbell performs at the Artpark in Lewiston
Like all good things, this evening had to come to a close. The band closed with “This Ain’t It,” which saw Isbell and Vaden partaking in one last guitar solo dual, much to the crowd’s delight. It was a fitting way to close an evening of classic rock sounds.
Symphony Space announced its 2023-2024 season, bringing artists, writers, and myriad communities together for one-night-only, only-at-Symphony Space events that celebrate the magic and sanctuary found only in the arts.
Musicians will explore new sides of their work and their influences, and many will also pay tribute to other legendary performers. Additionally, other events will bridge the worlds of literature and performance with artists and authors propelling words from the page onto the stage. In this new season, Symphony Space gives audiences opportunities to experience bespoke events with leading artists in an intimate, one-of-a-kind venue.
Symphony Space
Symphony Space is a multi-disciplinary performing arts center where bold programming, presented in a uniquely warm and welcoming environment, forges indelible relationships between artists and audiences.
Their fundamental mission is to connect art, ideas, and community through their performances and their commitment to literacy and education through the arts. Known for an array of ground-breaking programs, including Selected Shorts, their immersive Wall to Wall concerts, and their innovative Global Arts education initiative, Symphony Space presents a full slate of original, affordable (and free) programming within New York City and in communities throughout the country through tours, public radio broadcasts, podcasts, and virtual events.
One of the most beautiful things about Symphony Space is we offer performance, literature, and music and embrace our identity as an organization of broad communities. That has been the DNA of who we are since the very beginning, when we were founded on marathon, day-long programming: ‘throw open the doors and invite the community in.’ This season, we’re excited for so many captivating artists in so many disciplines to bring their worlds into Symphony Space.
Executive Director Kathy Landau
Events held at Symphony Space typically fall under one of three main categories: music, literature onstage, and film.
Music
This season’s musical offerings traverse a spectrum of genres in thrilling and unique live performances. One example in the upcoming season is Black Opry, a home for Black artists working in country, Americana, blues, and folk music. The groundbreaking collective will be in residence from Nov. 9-11. Spring 2024’s resident musician is the legendary Nona Hendryx, whose performances span genres and disciplines, mirroring her multifaceted and ever-evolving six-decade career. Her residency concludes with a special celebration of Betty Davis on May 16, initially explored by Nona at Symphony Space’s Wall to Wall Women of Soul in April 2023.
The season also features two major events celebrating vibrant, world-changing musical legacies. Symphony Space will host a special celebration of the 85th Anniversary of the influential, music history-making record label Blue Note Records, featuring The Blue Note Quintet, led by six-time GRAMMY Award-nominee Gerald Clayton, with Joel Ross, Immanuel Wilkins, Kendrick Scott, and Matt Brewer. Later in the season, Prince gets Symphony Space’s Wall-to-Wall treatment in a free all-day marathon celebration of his electrifying artistry.
In numerous concerts throughout the season, audiences can witness both rip-roaring and intimate live acts. They will also have the opportunity to see multiple Grammy Award winners, including Sam Bush and the band Cha Wa. Additionally, Symphony Space’s dynamic concert series Revelry returns after a pandemic hiatus. The Revelry series features local, national, and international artists across musical genres in an intimate venue where interactions between artists and audiences are part of the fun.
Literature Onstage
Selected Shorts is Symphony Space’s best-known series. It was conceived over 35 years ago with a simple premise: take great stories by well-known and emerging writers and have exceptional actors perform them live. It continues in Fall 2023, beginning with a sesquicentennial celebration of Willa Cather, hosted by influential documentarian Ken Burns, a longtime Cather fan. Another event includes acclaimed author Min Jin Lee, editor of The Best American Short Stories 2023, hosting a Selected Shorts event curated from the much-anticipated anthology. One of the most groundbreaking and beloved contemporary genre-crossing authors, Neil Gaiman, will also host an evening celebrating Ray Bradbury.
While Selected Shorts brings literature into the sphere of performance, special literary events this season celebrate beloved performers who have turned to the page to tell their stories. This programming features evenings with five accomplished performers introducing their new memoirs, including Leslie Jones and Seth Meyers discussing Leslie F*cking Jones and icon of the stage and screen Sir Patrick Stewart on Making It So: a Memoir.
Another exciting event is comedy legend Keegan-Michael Key and writer and producer Elle Key discussing their book The History of Sketch Comedy, which stems from their Webby Award-winning podcast.
Film
Symphony Space transports theater and art lovers to some of the most talked-about plays and exhibitions from around the world through its film programming. The NT Live presentations feature exquisitely recorded performances from London’s prestigious National Theatre. NT Live productions scheduled to screen this season include the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of King Lear starring Sir Ian McKellen.
The Exhibition on Screen film series takes audiences behind the scenes at the most acclaimed museums and galleries to see how the blockbuster exhibitions come together, with curator interviews, close-ups, and context that goes far beyond the wall text of a typical art gallery. Exhibitions on Screen will include Leonardo: The Works, which details every single attributed painting from the 500th anniversary of his death.
Additionally, other films at Symphony Space further reflect the institution’s passion for Broadway, music, and literature. During the fall, Symphony Space invites audiences to join the fun for sing-along screenings of 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, 1982’s Annie, and 1954’s White Christmas. As part of the Thalia Film series, Symphony Space will screen François Truffaut’s adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s classic Fahrenheit 451, a complement to the Selected Shorts event dedicated to the author earlier in the fall.
Comedy fans will also delight in the return of Symphony Space’s comedy series that promises to incite heated debate among A-list performers, Uptown Showdown.
See the list of Fall 2023-Spring 2024 programming to date below. Many programs offer livestreaming options, and discounted tickets for those under 30. Visit here for further details on tickets, programs, and accessibility options, and stay tuned for additional program announcements as the season unfolds.
Symphony Space Fall 2023-2024 Programming
September 2023
NT Live – The Best of Enemies | Tuesday, September 5, 1 pm
Maria Bamford, Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult | Tuesday, September 5, 7pm
Sing Along – Bohemian Rhapsody | Tuesday, September 12, 7pm
Exhibition On Screen – Degas: Passion for Perfection | Wednesday, September 13, 1pm
Siddhartha Mukherjee, The Song of the Cell | Thursday, September 14, 7pm
Leslie Jones, Leslie F*cking Jones | Tuesday, September 19, 7pm
NT Live – Life of Pi | Wednesday, September 20, 7pm
Thalia Book Club – Ann Patchett, Tom Lake | Thursday, September 21, 7pm
Amanda Gorman, Something Someday | Tuesday, September 26, 5pm
Selected Shorts – Ken Burns Presents Willa Cather’s America | Wednesday, September 27, 7pm
October 2023
Patrick Stewart, Making It So | Monday, October 2, 8pm
Keegan-Michael Key & Elle Key, The History of Sketch Comedy | Tuesday, October 3, 8pm
Exhibition On Screen – Leonardo: The Works | Thursday, October 5, 1pm
Sarah Cooper, Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination, and Humiliation | Thursday, October 5, 7pm
Roxane Gay, Opinions | Tuesday, October 10, 7pm
Uptown Showdown – A Comedy Debate Series: Humans vs. AI | Thursday, October 12, 7pm
Selected Shorts – The Best American Short Stories 2023 with Host Min Jin Lee | Wednesday, October 18, 7pm
Sing-Along – Annie | Saturday, October 21, 11am
Sam Bush | Friday, October 27, 8pm
NT Live – King Lear | Tuesday, October 31, 1pm
NT Live – Frankenstein | Tuesday, October 31, 7pm
November 2023
Selected Shorts – A Celebration of Ray Bradbury with Host Neil Gaiman | Wednesday, November 1, 7pm
Thalia Book Club – James McBride, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store | Thursday, November 2, 7pm
Andrew Rannells, Uncle of the Year | Monday, November 6, 8pm
Black Opry in Residence
Chris Pierce | Thursday, November 9, 7:30pm
Kaia Kater | Friday, November 10, 7:30pm
Elizabeth Lubin | Saturday, November 11, 7:30pm
Exhibition On Screen – Munch | Tuesday, November 14, 1pm
Thalia Book Club – Sigrid Nunez, The Vulnerables | Tuesday, November 14, 7pm
Revelry – Jerron ‘Blind Boy’ Paxton & Dennis Lichtman | Friday, November 17, 7:30pm
Thalia Film – Fahrenheit 451 | Tuesday, November 21, 7pm
Uptown Showdown – A Comedy Debate Series: Brains vs. Brawn | Thursday, November 30, 7pm
December 2023
Revelry – Soule Monde | Friday, December 1, 7:30pm
Selected Shorts – Roz Chast, While You Were Sleeping | Wednesday, December 6, 7pm
Revelry – Mile Twelve | Friday, December 8, 7:30pm
Exhibition On Screen – Manet | Tuesday, December 12, 1pm
Sing-Along – White Christmas | Tuesday, December 12, 7pm
Revelry – Stephane Wrembel | Thursday, December 14, 7:30pm
2024 Schedule
Thalia Book Club – E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India 100th Anniversary | Tuesday, January 16, 7pm
Revelry – Cillian Vallely & Kevin Crawford | Friday, January 19, 7:30pm
Revelry – Queen Esther | Thursday, January 25, 7:30pm
Revelry – Hazmat Modine | Friday, January 26, 7:30pm
Blue Note 85th Anniversary Celebration | Friday, February 23, 8pm
Revelry – JigJam | Thursday, March 21, 7:30pm
Wall to Wall Prince | Saturday, May 4, 3-11pm
Nona Hendryx in Residence
A Celebration of Betty Davis Music | Thursday, May 16, 8pm
Newly-minted trap producer Michael Vincent Waller has found his latest muse, teaming up with Atlanta-based Anycia for his latest single “Makin’ em’ Dance.” The Staten Island bred producer continues to broaden his musical horizons dropping this slowed-down thumper with the up-and-coming rapper.
MVW and Anycia are “Makin em’ Dance”
In similar fashion, MVW tabs Anycia as the latest to rhyme over his unique production. “Makin em’ Dance” is a slow-pace thumper. Backed by poignant piano and violin chop and thumping 808 drums that offers a spaced-out ambiance, the Atlanta-based rhymer delivers the type of easy-going and mellow flow that meshes so well with MVW’s minimalist style.
Altogether, MVW is ramping up and diversifying his releases in anticipation of another album. The California-based producer has raised his profile with two unique projects in his first two years as a hip hop producer. As of late MVW has teamed with TiaCorine and Lil Cherry for the global trap record “Tru Tru.” Not to mention a pair of summer releases with the Chicago-bred Valee as they tease their upcoming joint-album.
Rock and roll group Hairball is getting ready to take the New York State Fair Suburban Park Stage alongside 20 other acts. Performing on the fair’s final day, the six-member band hits Syracuse on Sept. 4, 2023, at 1:00 pm.
Highlighted by vocalists Kris Vox, Dave Moody, and Drew Hart, and the additional help of HBK, Billy, and Happy on instrumentals, the group will cover hits from Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen, Journey, Aerosmith, and more.
Interim Fair Director Sean Hennessey anticipates Hairball’s performance to be one of the best of the Summer, stating that they aren’t your ordinary 80’s rock band and are ready to deliver “20 concerts in one.”
These guys bring it and they play every show as if it’s their last. While they’re known for recreating iconic songs and moments in Rock history, they’re also constantly innovating and evolving, introducing their own style and flair.
– Sean Hennessey
Celebrating their 23rd year as a group, Hairball guarantees to bring the energy, props, and flair for a one-of-a-kind experience at the New York State Fair, unlike any performer from past years.
The band rounds out Labor Day weekend and the end of the New York State Fair in a Sept. 4 lineup that also includes Foghat and Skid Row, with Foghat at 4:00 pm on the Chevy Court and Skid Row following Hairball’s show at 6:00 pm on the Suburban Park Stage.
Additionally, over the 13-day fair, 20 other acts will hit the Suburban Park Stage ranging from hip-hop to country to Hairball’s rock and roll showcase. The full lineup for the New York State Fair is available now.
Suburban Park Stage Lineup & Ticket Information
All performances are free and are a part of the admission ticket price. Fair admission tickets are on sale now at NYSFair.NY.Gov and are $6 for adults. Those 12 years old and younger, and 65 years old and older, get in for free.
The anthemic rock musical trio Today’s Outfit has dropped a brand new single titled “Best Seats in the House” with a five-minute long music video to accompany the release. The band will be rocking their nostalgic sound on Saturday, August 12th at Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester!
Since debuting two years ago at the Toonerville festival, the pandemic-formed band has opened for hard rock legends Living Colour, released an inaugural EP, and has built up an impressive reputation by frequently performing in New York City and throughout the greater New York region. The band is comprised of bassist Mark Garufi, drummer Grant Zacharias, and lead singer and keyboardist Andrew Wood, whose previously active band Bridges and Powerlines experienced runs on the CMJ top 200 radio charts.
Although the band’s name may lead audiences to believe Today’s Outfit is all about using music to express ideas and sounds of the modern day, their inspiration and melodies work to contradict that. With their ’80s New Wave influenced keyboard instrumentals along with a ten-string bass bringing back the ’70s classic rock era, Today’s Outfit proves to be a trio that accepts how the past influences the present.
Their new single, “Best Seats in the House,” comes from the band’s unreleased first full-length record titled It’s AlgoRhythmic!, set to be released this fall. The song itself has energetic vocals and instrumentals that transport listeners to the time of The Outfield and classics such as “Your Love” while the lyrics tell a familiar story about our ever-shrinking attention spans and the switch-cost effect. Although the video that accompanies the single is more or less underwhelming, showing the band play their music with various scenes at a theater, the impressive melodies including a rocking Moog solo along with the mix of past and present influences screams that Today’s Outfit deserves attention and their single is worth another listen.
To be able to see them perform their new single live, get your tickets now for their upcoming show this Saturday, here. The doors of Garcia’s open at 7:00 PM and the toe tapping and head banging will begin at 8:00 PM!
Syracuse-born, Nashville-based artist Mick Fury dropped his latest project earlier this summer titled 1981-1996. In a popular music landscape congested with hollow lyrics, cheap sentiments, and reused sounds, the album stands out for its conceptuality and thematic elements. Focused on the trials and tribulations of millennials across the United States, the album touches on topics and ideas usually avoided by mainstream stars.
We’re the most open-minded, hard-working-for-beans, thoughtful generation yet, and we’ve watched the American Dream be snatched away from us like bullies taking a kid’s lunch money
Mick Fury
Takeaways
The album’s Nashville influence is inescapable: from Fury’s country-rock tone, to the up-tempo and twangy guitar patterns, and even to the country references of dirt, whiskey, roads, and rust. Despite 1981-1996’s country leanings, Fury, along with Max McKee (bass, guitar) and Nate Felty (drums, percussion), also incorporates elements of rock, alt-rock, and even post-grunge into the project. While the instrumentation and arrangement on the album is not the centerpiece, the trio do a good job at giving space for Fury’s lyricism to shine.
With ten songs and a 33-minute runtime, 1981-1996 wastes no time getting into the topic of the project. The album opens with a 42-second recording of sensationalized claims about millennials in the style of a cable news broadcast titled “The Perception.” Angry voices yell out phrases like “snowflakes” and argue that “they want to demand respect that they don’t deserve” or that “they have traded achievement for victimhood”. The track helps tune the listener in for what Fury wants to address in the ensuing songs.
Fury begins the music by inspecting his childhood and the innocence of youth with the song “Bright Eyed Dumb Kid.” The tune is reflective in nature and touches on a topic that many listeners can relate to. Its palatable drums and calm country guitar strums make the song an easy listen. Despite the track’s clear focus, its lyrics differ from the harsh and poignant sentiments espoused on “The Perception.”
Highlights
As the album continues, Fury finds his groove with “Can’t Let Go” and “State of the Union.” The former perfectly demonstrates the singer’s smooth and comfortable delivery, helping to lull the listener into a foot-tapping trance. Fury’s lyrics about being lost and stuck without a purpose match perfectly with the songs’ alt-rock rhythm. “State of the Union” on the other hand is a fast paced track filled with attitude and frustration. The song is arguably where Fury is his most critical and thoughtful on the album. The artist highlights many of the flaws in American society with lyrics like, “Go to school for years to get your degree, get out and get a job then hopefully, we’ll get you out of debt and get you out of this town, you’ll be paying that off until you’re in the ground.”
“We go looking for hope, some kind of savior, pills, presidents, conspiracies, creators, trying to find the way through the dark but it keeps getting later”
Mick Fury on “State of the Union”
“Broken Highway” is most likely Fury’s most ambitious song on 1981-1996. The track features a blend of rock, country, psych-rock, and alt-rock to create a sound that channels the atmosphere of early 2000s radio anthems. The song is ripe with layered production and features some of the best instrumentation on the project.
Following up “Broken Highway” is “Burnin’ It Down,” which is a pleasant return to Fury’s country-rock sound. The track showcases the artist’s creativity as Fury plays with the idea of a traditional country song. Positioned as a classic “America-first” hit, the track takes aim at many of the problematic elements associated with the nation. Mick Fury sings, “Everyday there’s another threat, from some enemy I ain’t never met, we got money for missiles and fuck-all for the vets.” The artist goes on to critique the narrow-minded view that many Americans have. He writes “nothing’s wrong and nothing’s right, you ain’t looking past your own life.”
1981-1996 is conceptually profound and highlights the ingenuity and creativity of Mick Fury. While the album doesn’t reinvent the wheel sonically, Fury sounds right at home on just about all the tracks. The singer’s lyricism and writing is ultimately what drives the project. What the album lacks in nuance and specificity, it makes up for in digestibility and familiarity. In all, the album is a breath of fresh air as it looks to address a topic often untouched by others in the same lane.
The Jonas Brothers’ “The Tour” has expanded with new dates internationally, bringing the total number of shows to 90. “The Tour” kicks off with two sold-out shows in Yankee Stadium this August, with future performances in Buffalo this November and Albany this December.
Visiting 20 countries, many of which for the first time, and 86 cities, “The Tour” is the largest tour the band has ever put together. Earlier this year, the Jonas Brothers released a new album, titled similarly to their tour as The Album. It was produced by Jon Bellion and released with Republic Records.
The Jonas Brothers themselves are one of the most successful groups of this century, with over 20 million sold albums, two Grammy Award nominations, and three consecutive #1 debuts on the Billboard 200. Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Kevin Jonas have not only had successful careers in music, but also in TV, film, and other business ventures. 2019 saw the band’s comeback with the Platinum-certified album Happiness Begins.
For more information and for tickets, check out the Jonas Brothers’ website. For information on VIP packages, check out the link here.
Old Tour Dates
Aug. 12 – Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
Aug. 13 – Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
Aug. 15 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
Aug. 16 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
Aug. 17 – Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
Aug. 19 – Rogers Centre – Toronto, ON
Aug. 22 – Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
Carly Rae Jepsen sold out two nights (August 7 and 8) at the Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City, but the first show on Monday was cut short due to sudden thunderstorms. Before abruptly ending the show and thanking her fans, she told them, “No one is getting electrocuted tonight!” Carly added a last minute intimate show that same night at Rockwood Music Hall, delighting 500 fans with the unexpected addition. She also added a matinee show at Pier 17 for fans who missed the first night, honoring all ticket purchases and offering refunds to those who couldn’t make the matinee.
Carly Rae Jepsen plays last minute intimate show at Rockwood Music Hall. Photo by Alex Perkins
Poolside opened for Carly with a DJ set. Check out our gallery of images from the first night below.
The Orchestra Now (TŌN) the far-sighted orchestra and master’s degree program founded by Bard College president, conductor, educator, and music historian Leon Botstein, announced its ninth season performances, happening from Sept. 16, 2023, through May 19, 2024.
Conductor Leon Botstein and The Orchestra Now at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater on Sun 11-6-16. Photo by David DeNee.
The Orchestra Now is a group of 59 vibrant young musicians from 13 different countries across the globe, including the United States, Austria, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, and more. The main mission of the orchestra is to make orchestral music relevant to 21st-century audiences by sharing unique personal insights in a welcoming environment. Hand-picked from the world’s leading conservatories—including the Yale School of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Royal Academy of Music, and the New England Conservatory of Music—the members of TŌN give on-stage introductions and demonstrations, write concert notes from the musicians’ perspective, and have one-on-one discussions with patrons during intermissions.
Conductor, educator, and music historian Leon Botstein founded TŌN in 2015 as a graduate program at Bard College, where he is also president. TŌN offers both a three-year master’s degree in Curatorial, Critical, and Performance Studies and a two-year advanced certificate in Orchestra Studies. The Orchestra’s home is the Frank Gehry-designed Fisher Center at Bard, where it performs multiple concerts each season and takes part in the annual Bard Music Festival. Dubbed by the HuffPost as “dramatic and intense,” TŌN performs regularly at venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and others across NYC and beyond.
The Orchestra Now musicians-Zhenyuan Yao, Milad Daniari, Paul Nemeth, Michael Franz, and Jonathan Wisner. Photo by David DeNee.
The Orchestra Now has also performed with many distinguished guest conductors and soloists, including Leonard Slatkin, Neeme Järvi, Gil Shaham, Fabio Luisi, Vadim Repin, Hans Graf, Peter Serkin, Gerard Schwarz, Tan Dun, and JoAnn Falletta. They are featured on several recordings, including Buried Alive with baritone Michael Nagy, released on Bridge Records in August 2020, which includes the first recording in almost 60 years, and only the second recording ever, of Othmar Schoeck’s song cycle Lebendig begraben.
For the 2023-2024 season, TŌN offers 20 programs and a total of 27 concerts, including two at Carnegie Hall, three at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater, three free concerts at Manhattan’s Peter Norton Symphony Space and Bard College at Simon’s Rock, and six at the Orchestra’s home at Bard College’s Fisher Center. This year marks the seventh season of The Orchestra Now’s popular broadcast series on WMHT-FM, the classical music radio station of New York’s Capital Region. TŌN’s performances are also heard regularly on American Public Media’s Performance Today.
As we approach the ninth successful season of TŌN, I am exceedingly proud of all we have accomplished since the Orchestra was launched in 2015. Since then, TŌN has performed a remarkable 668 works by 304 composers in 36 venues for more than 88,000 live and virtual concertgoers, with 320 soloists and 33 conductors. I am delighted to continue that impressive record in the 2023-24 season with three U.S premieres, an exploration of numerous undiscovered masterworks, and a roster of guest artists that range from Metropolitan Opera star Stephanie Blythe—Artistic Director of Bard Conservatory’s Vocal Arts Program—to rising young winners of Bard Conservatory Concerto Competitions.
Leon Botstein.
For more information about The Orchestra Now and to purchase tickets to the upcoming 2023-2024 season, visit here.
Exodus: Jewish Composers in Exile Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 at 7 p.m. The Orchestra’s Carnegie Hall series opens with Leon Botstein and the orchestra performing rarely heard works by Jewish composers written while they were in exile from their homelands during World War II. The program comprises Alexandre Tansman’s rhythmic Polish Rhapsody, inspired by the invasion of his homeland, the NYC premiere of Josef Tal’s dramatic Exodus, based on the Passover Haggadah, Walter Kaufmann’s Indian Symphony, written while in exile in Bombay, and Marcel Rubin’s melancholy Symphony No. 4, Dies irae, reflecting his experiences during the Second World War.
Photo by David DeNee – Conductor Leon Botstein and The Orchestra Now at Carnegie Hall on Fri 5-13-16.
Violinist as Composer Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 7 p.m. Leon Botstein spotlights four European virtuoso violinists who were also major composers in their respective countries but are not household names elsewhere today. The program includes Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz’s contemplative Partita for Orchestra, Hungarian composer Joseph Joachim’s Variations for Violin and Orchestra, the New York City premiere of a recently discovered concerto by famed Belgian violinist and composer Eugène Ysaÿe, and the energetic and passionate Second Symphony of Romanian composer George Enescu.
Rose Theatre
Debussy’s Afternoon of a Faun
Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 3 p.m.
TŌN welcomes rising French conductor Chloé van Soeterstède, who has conducted orchestras around the globe, including the London and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. Her program begins with one of Debussy’s most popular works, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, inspired by a poem about the mythical creature and nymphs. Principal trombonist of the London Symphony Orchestra, Peter Moore, joins the orchestra for Dani Howard’s Trombone Concerto. The afternoon concludes with Rachmaninoff’s vibrant Symphonic Dances, the last piece he ever wrote, and his only work that was fully composed in the United States.
In the popular series Sight & Sound, Leon Botstein explores the parallels between orchestral music and the visual arts. Each program is accompanied by on-screen artworks and musical excerpts performed by The Orchestra Now, followed by a full performance and audience Q&A.
Copland, Culture & Politics in the 1930s Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 at 2 p.m.
The 1930s were a time of political and social turmoil in the United States. Through the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, art and music aided the struggling nation’s search for identity and hope, depicting and publicizing the struggle of the era’s masses. Aaron Copland mixed everyday Americana tunes with classical music in an unprecedented way. His strict orchestral Statements for Orchestra, written at a time when the composer was becoming more politically active, and Wild-West ballet Billy the Kid both quote popular folk music of the day, earning him a reputation as the United States “populist” composer.
The exhibition Art for the Millions: American Culture and Politics in the 1930s will be on view at The Met Fifth Avenue from Sept. 7–Dec. 10, 2023 in galleries 691–693.
Debussy & Matisse: Creating New Colors
Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Artist Henri Matisse helped to revolutionize the visual arts in the first decades of the 20th century with experiments in a technicolor style that changed the course of French painting. In the same era Claude Debussy was rejecting classical German musical tradition, developing his own style of harmony and orchestral coloring that would strongly influence a wide range of composers for years to come. His expressive Images for Orchestra, which evokes English, Spanish, and French cultures, exemplifies the composer’s explorations in color and texture.
Still, Johnson & the Harlem Renaissance Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 2 p.m.
With the rise of new, urban Black communities both in NYC and abroad, the Harlem Renaissance became the first African-American-led movement of international modern art. With that art came developments in visual art, poetry, jazz, and concert music. William Grant Still’s dramatic Lenox Avenue, which was commissioned by CBS for a 1937 radio broadcast, was inspired by street scenes in Harlem. Meanwhile, his orchestration of James P. Johnson’s Yamekraw, A Negro Rhapsody, was a response to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, capturing what the composer felt was a more “authentic” rhapsody about a black neighborhood in Savannah, Georgia.
The exhibition Harlem Renaissance will be on view at The Met Fifth Avenue from Feb. 20–July 28, 2024, in Gallery 999.
The Fisher Center Series at Bard
The Orchestra Now, Bard’s orchestral masters, presents its ninth season of six different programs and 11 concerts. All performances will be livestreamed on TŌNtube.
Two Sides of Vienna
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at 2 p.m.
Music Director Leon Botstein opens TŌN’s ninth season with a concert juxtaposing two distinct styles of Viennese music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These include the vibrant and festive melodies of Franz Lehár and the Strauss brothers, and Mahler’s beautifully tragic Sixth Symphony. The concert opens with music from Lehár’s well-known 1905 operetta The Merry Widow, written in 1940 to celebrate the composer’s 70th birthday. This is followed by two dance pieces: Eduard Strauss’ train-themed polka Bahn frei!, and his brother Johann Jr.’s majestic Emperor Waltz. The program closes with a contrasting style from the same era, Mahler’s deeply personal Symphony No. 6.
Leon Botstein by Matt-Dine.
Jean-Marie Zeitouni Conducts
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Celebrated Canadian conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni makes his debut with TŌN in an all-French program, beginning with Saint-Saëns’ exuberant Bacchanale from his opera Samson et Dalila. Then mezzo-soprano Megan Moore, a co-founder of the Lynx Project who has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, performs Berlioz’s song cycle The Summer Nights. The program also includes Fauré’s music for the play Pelléas et Mélisande, and d’Indy’s soaring and lyrical Symphony on a French Mountain Air, featuring Bard College Conservatory faculty pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough.
Stephanie Blythe Sings Brahms
Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 at 3 p.m.
Award-winning mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, artistic director of Bard Conservatory’s Graduate Vocal Arts Program, joins TŌN for an all-Brahms concert. She performs his profound and dramatic Alto Rhapsody. The program also includes the sweeping cantata, Rinaldo, concluding with Brahms’ masterful First Symphony, which the composer toiled over for 14 years before its debut performance.
Stephanie Blythe.
Beethoven’s 6th & The Rite of Spring
Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 2 p.m.
TŌN welcomes spring with three musical tributes to the vernal equinox. These include Egon Wellesz’s 1911 The Dawn of Spring, Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, performed alongside members of the Bard College Conservatory Orchestra, and Beethoven’s lush Pastoral Sixth Symphony, echoing the composer’s love of nature.
Free Concert Series
These concerts are free, no tickets necessary, advance RSVP suggested. Check here for RSVP information.
Schumann & Strauss
Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 at 4 p.m.
Peter Norton Symphony Space
TŌN Resident Conductor Zachary Schwartzman returns with the orchestra to Symphony Space for another free concert. The program comprises Barber’s overture The School for Scandal, Strauss’ powerfully evocative tone poem Death and Transfiguration, and Schumann’s intense and emotional Symphony No. 4.
Zachary Schwartzman, photo by Jito Lee.
Mendelssohn & Sibelius
Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Peter Norton Symphony Space
Zachary Schwartzman returns with the orchestra to Symphony Space for another free concert. The program comprises Mendelssohn’s fiery Ruy Blas Overture, Prokofiev’s masterful Violin Concerto No. 2 with soloist Yangxin Song, a winner of the 2022 Bard Conservatory Concerto Competition, and Sibelius’ voluptuous Symphony No. 1.
Schumann’s Piano Concerto
Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 3 p.m.
Bard College at Simon’s Rock
TŌN Assistant Conductor Andrés Rivas returns to Simon’s Rock for a free concert that includes Species of Motion by retiring music department chair Larry Wallach. The program also includes a performance of Schumann’s symphonic Piano Concerto, performed with Yilin Li, a winner of the 2022 Bard Conservatory Concerto Competition.
Iconic rappers JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown have left zero crumbs on their stops through the east coast on their SCARING THE HOES tour. Their show in Buffalo Aug. 1 was no exception to this as they performed for a sold out crowd at the Town Ballroom.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Opener DJ_Dave brought her experimental production to Buffalo by performing her music using code. She combines her electronic pop music and love for tech to create a newfound fluidity to the industry. Her visuals go beyond just cool tech symbols because she is live coding on stage, refereed to as algorave which is both impressive and entertaining to watch.
DJ_Dave, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Later on JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown took over the stage. Their presence can not be taken lightly because they had fans going crazy from start to finish. They began the night introducing themselves and immediately going into their track “Lean Beef Patty.” With just 30 seconds in the energy was insane. The rappers were spraying water into the crowd, climbing on top of the barricade, and interacting with fans nonstop.
JPEG, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
This tour is in honor of the two rappers’ joint album SCARING THE HOES which released earlier this year. After much anticipation it was especially satisfying for fans to get to see the collaborative talent of these two in action. Even with many songs of theirs being together they still took the time to perform a section of the show by themselves.
JPEG, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
JPEGMAFIA performed fun covers of songs by Carly Rae Jepsen and Denzel Curry. Fans especially got pumped up when he rapped his hit “1539 N. Calvert.” Danny Brown then came back on stage with JPEG, then gave the audience a solo show. The crowd got even more excited for this and couldn’t stop chanting his name.
Danny Brown, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Danny performed his popular song “Really Doe” that features Kendrick Lamar. This track had people immediately riling up and opening up the pit for mosh pits. It’s so impressive to watch both Danny and JPEG rap in person because there is no gimmicks. Neither of the artists use a backing track. This means every word you hear them rap live is them actually rapping live, and if they mess up it becomes 10x more obvious to the audience watching.
JPEG, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
The two finished off the night with “SCARING THE HOES” and “Fentanyl Tester.” The packed in crowd was lit with rage and sweat from the non-stop party. Something about Danny Brown finally being back in Buffalo after all these years and visuals that paid homage to old-school video games gave a nostalgic feel.
Danny Brown, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
If you missed this dynamic duo in Buffalo, fear not because more NY dates are on the horizon. The SCARING THE HOES tour will be making stops in NYC at both Pier 17 on Aug. 9 and Terminal 5 on Aug. 11. Upcoming shows at the Town Ballroom can be found here.
Danny Brown, Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Setlist:
JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown: Lean Beef Patty, Burfict!, Steppa Pig, Garbage Pale Kids
JPEGMAFIA: Jesus Forgive Me I Am a Thot, 1539 N. Calvert, BALD!, Baby I’m Bleeding, Call Me Maybe (cover), VENGEANCE | VENGEANCE (cover)
JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown: Run the Jewels, God Loves You, Shut Yo Bitch Ass Up / Muddy Waters, Hermanos
Danny Brown: Really Doe, When It Rain, Dip, Monopoly, Tantor, Ain’t It Funny
JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown: Guess What Bitch, We Back Hoe!, SCARING THE HOES, Fentanyl Tester
