Behind-the-scenes view of BSO Sessions : Conductor
Nicholas Hersh with the Orchestra and Associate Director of Production Jerry Pedroza
BRAHMS — V . — RADIOHEAD
Saturday February 5 , 2022 @ 8 pm
Considered one of the greatest albums of all time , Radiohead ’ s OK Computer is interwoven with Brahms ’ lush First Symphony . Performed by the BSO and three pop vocalists , the melodies of Brahms are seamlessly intertwined with songs such as “ Paranoid Android ,” “ Karma Police ,” “ No Surprises ,” and “ Let Down .”
THE RESURRECTION MIXTAPE
Saturday April 2 , 2022 @ 8 pm
A transformative exploration of life , death , legacy , struggle , and triumph , The Resurrection Mixtape fuses the music of Notorious B . I . G . and Tupac Shakur with Mahler ’ s “ Resurrection ” Symphony . Included in the performance are “ Hypnotize ,” “ Dear Mama ,” “ California Love ,” “ Juicy ,” “ Keep Ya Head Up ,” “ Everyday Struggle ,” and more .
Violinist Holly Jenkins interviewed for BSO Sessions
in our community and online , we ’ ve also taken time to reevaluate the experience inside the concert hall , from the doors to the seats . By taking a close look at price points , programs , and the overall concert environment and culture — and seeing how all of these pieces fit together — we hope to create a more welcoming experience to be enjoyed by everyone .
O ne series created to serve a wider audience and that you can expect to see more of in coming years is BSO Fusion , spearheaded by conductor and composer Steve Hackman . In combining the genres of classical and popular , Hackman aims to see what he calls “ a musical revelation .”
Always pursuing classical and popular music in parallel growing up , Hackman attended the University of Illinois for his undergrad , studying classical piano while also conducting , composing , and arranging for the a capella group “ The Other Guys ”— what Hackman sees as his first formidable musical experience .
“ Being a participant in that team atmosphere at such a high level paved the road for me , not only as a conductor but also as a musical
Top : The BSO ' s Skull and Bones concert Right : Conductor and composer Steve Hackman creator and now , a musical entrepreneur ,” said Hackman . “ From the very beginning : creativity and music were always interlinked .”
This led to a life-changing graduate degree in conducting at the Curtis Institute of Music ; but after subsequent studies , Hackman felt that the overlap between creativity and music wasn ’ t always emphasized universally throughout the classical music industry . It wasn ’ t until his work at the Indianapolis Symphony with the popular string trio in-residence , Time for Three , that Hackman discovered a conduit to creating something relevant to more people his own age . He eventually had the opportunity to use the Symphony as his “ laboratory ,” which is when Hackman ’ s “ musical revelation ” really began in the creation of Copland v . Bon Iver : a combination of Copland ’ s Appalachian Spring and the self-titled Bon Iver album .
Hackman realized that the idea of “ fusing musical genres ” had been ingrained in him through the music of Chicago ’ s house DJs that he listened to growing up .
“ They were mixing and mashing up music : a beat from one song , and a vocal from another . I realized the idea of fusion was bred into my subconscious from a very young age . It ’ s these musical fusions that I hope are a conduit for experiencing new music — be it Mahler or Tupac .”
In creating a point of access to both genres , Hackman also focuses on artists that he believes are crucial to today ’ s culture and that people need to be aware of — no matter your musical preference .
“ Notorious B . I . G . and Tupac created music that is incredibly culturally significant and important , especially in the case of Tupac , who went to school in Baltimore . They have written music that is one of the most important elements in somebody ’ s life — just like how maybe Beethoven has been significant to many of those who walk through these doors . Their music has meant so much and touched so many people , and that ’ s something we really need to start looking at if we want to create programs that are accessible to everyone .”
NOV-DEC 2021 / OVERTURE 11