Overture Magazine - 2015-2016 Season January-February 2016 | Page 7

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A Century of Sound

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the BSO commissioned its own oboist, Michael Lisicky, to
write a book about the history of the orchestra. Drawing on archives as well as first-hand interviews,
with musicians, artist and patrons, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: A Century of Sound charts
the successes and also the challenges in the growth of a major American symphony orchestra in the
20th century. A keepsake for lovers of the BSO and an important historical reference, the book is
available at the BSO gift shop and online at bsomusic.org. Cost is $24.95.
The BSO is grateful to Bank of America for its support in the production of A Century of Sound.

The City as
photo montage
James Bartolomeo has been
searching Baltimore’s various
archives for the last year, collecting
a century’s worth of photos. He’s
compiled buildings, neighborhoods
and faces. “When I found a beautiful
candid shot, I’d grab it and put it
Bartolomeo (left)
in my portrait file so I could build
montages,” says the Baltimore-born
filmmaker who now lives in Bethesda. The resulting film will accompany
Kevin Puts’ world premiere composition The City, in April (see page 8).
Bartolomeo says he tried to avoid familiar, iconic photos of Baltimore.
Local families have donated photos to the Maryland Historical Society archives
over the years, he says. “There are a lot of photos of average citizens.”
Bartolomeo is no stranger to the BSO. He has worked with Marin Alsop
on a series of short promotional pieces about her favorite pieces of music,
found on the BSO website. He recently completed a short documentary
about OrchKids that he is entering in film festivals.

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the

L oop}

High and low tones
for BSO listeners
During the summer, a new Hearing Loop system was
permanently installed in the Meyerhoff for patrons with
hearing loss. The system is accessible for patrons with seats
throughout the Orchestra and Grand Tier levels.  Patrons
who have a telecoil in their hearing aid or cochlear implant
may switch to the “T” setting to enjoy the system.
So far, the new hearing loop system has been met with
enthusiasm. Patron Robert Cordes, M.D., told Overture,
“It was like a new world for me. For the first time, I heard all the low volume
notes and words spoken. I was moved to tears four or five times by what I heard.
It was so special!”
Mr. Harvey M. Meyerhoff, whose leadership gift through the Harvey M.
Meyerhoff Fund made the system possible, is pleased with the idea, which is
unique in Baltimore. “I am delighted to be able to support the Hearing Loop
System of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra,” he says. “The system helps
to enhance the concert experience of our hearing impaired patrons, who might
not otherwise be able to enjoy the music as others do.”

{A t S t r at h mor e}

Gala celebrates
with Alsop family
instruments
The second annual BSO at Strathmore

Gala, to be held on February 13, will
support OrchLab and other innovative
education and community outreach programs in Montgomery County. The black
tie-optional affair will begin with cocktails
and a buffet dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed
by a special recital by BSO musicians playing on the instruments on special loan from
Marin Alsop’s family collection.
Maestra Alsop’s father, Lamar, was the
longtime concertmaster for the New York
City Ballet before he retired in 1993, and
her mother, Ruth, was a cellist for the same
ensemble. The family collection includes her
mother’s Testori cello, now played by Principal Cellist Dariusz Skoraczewski and the
Guadagnini violin that Madeline Adkins,
associate concertmaster, plays.
The evening’s BSO concert, beginning
at 8 p.m. will feature renowned violinist
Joshua Bell, playing Tchaikovsky’s Violin
Concerto in a performance conducted by
Maestra Alsop.

January– February 2016 |

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