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Creating Musical Connections In Times Of Crisis
As COVID-19 changed the world and the shared act of live music , the BSO quickly embraced a new digital home and launched BSO OffStage . Virtual content provided hope , healing , and comfort through artistic performances realized in new ways . And with a few “ virtual orchestra ” minutes equating to hundreds of hours of work , the resulting creative footprint is nothing short of significant .
Virtual Orchestra Presentations
Mahler ’ s Third Symphony
Over 200 artists rehearsed
Mahler ’ s iconic Third
Symphony until the pandemic
shuttered live performances .
BSO musicians turned their
grief into affirmation with a
virtual performance of the
final movement .
Beethoven ’ s “ Ode to Joy ,”
Symphony No . 9 in D Minor ,
op . 125 — A contemporary
interpretation featuring new
text by Baltimore-based
rapper Wordsmith and
members of the OrchKids ’
Bucket Band . Marin Alsop
asserted , “ Now , more than
ever , it felt right to re-imagine
this text and work as a 21st
century call for unity , justice ,
and empowerment .”
Tchaikovsky ’ s 1812 Overture
A program in honor of our
beloved Oregon Ridge Star-
Spangled Spectacular tradition
complete with regional church
bells and special local guests
in place of the composer ’ s
iconic cannon booms .
A Return to Radio , TV , and More
The BSO at the BBC Proms :
A Virtual Gala Celebration
Bringing Marin Alsop and
the BSO ’ s extraordinary 2018
BBC Proms performance
of works by Bernstein and
Shostakovich with guest
pianist Jeans-Yves Thibaudet
to all of Maryland ( and
beyond ) through a special
one-night only broadcast on
Maryland Public Television .
BSO Encore , Powered by PNC
The BSO began its celebration
of Marin Alsop ’ s final season
with a ten-week series of
encore radio broadcasts
from her inaugural season
accompanied by new , realtime
conversations every
Sunday on WBJC .
BSO Pulse Rewind
A six-concert rebroadcast
of our signature BSO Pulse
series , pairing the Orchestra
with popular indie and
alternative artists , airing on
WTMD radio and apps .
Off The Cuff Podcasts
An extension of our traditional
podcast offerings featuring
new releases of archived
Off The Cuff concerts — a
series created by Maestra
Alsop that embodies her
commitment to demystifying
classical music and creating
access for all audiences .
A New Body of Work
BSO Lunch Bachs
A lunchtime series in which
the BSO violists performed
movements from Bach ’ s
Cello Suites , paired with
inspirational pieces and a
look at their home lives .
Virtual Governing Member ’ s Lounge
A series sharing behindthe-scenes
access and
live conversation . Over the
course of 14 weeks , episodes
included conversations with
composer Anna Clyne , pianist
Olga Kern , vocalist Tony
DeSare , AFI Programming
Director Todd Hitchcock ,
Beethoven expert Mark
Ferraguto , Baltimore Choral
Arts Society ’ s Anthony Blake
Clark , and more , along with
members of the BSO family .
Watch Parties
Special livestream events
combining listening and
conversation gave full
orchestra works from the
audio archive new life .
Highlights included a special
presentation of the BSO ’ s 2016
commission The City with
film by James Bartolomeo ,
accompanied by a live
talk-back panel featuring
composer Kevin Puts among
other notable Baltimoreans ,
and a presentation of the
BSO ’ s 2008 performances of
Holst ’ s The Planets paired
with imagery from NASA ’ s
Goddard Space Flight Center .
A New Platform : BSO OffStage
What started as the hub
for at-home recitals and
topical series featuring
BSO musicians at the height
of COVID-19 continues
to evolve . Looking ahead ,
a newly improved BSO
OffStage will remain your
source for concerts , content ,
and resources , streaming to
your home ( or on the go ),
on demand .
BSOmusic . org / OffStage
2019-20 BSO YEAR IN REVIEW
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