Overture Magazine - 2018-19 Season BSO_Overture_Sept_Oct | Page 7

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
James Wyman
Marin Alsop and BSO bring new music to Baltimore
U
nder the leadership of Marin Alsop, the BSO presented its second
New Music Festival over four days in June. Launched in 2017, the New
Music Festival brings contemporary classical music to Baltimore with
concerts and events throughout the city.
“Promoting new music and the work of living composers has always
been a central part of my mission as a conductor and music educator,” says Alsop.
This year’s New Music Festival kicked off at Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse
with a presentation featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and performance artist
Du Yun. Her music was performed the following evening in a chamber music concert
at Peabody Conservatory’s Griswold Hall that also included pieces by Dan Visconti,
Thierry De Mey, Osvaldo Golijov and James MacMillan. The BSO also teamed up with
The Motor House to present a chamber jam headlined by Du Yun and her band OK
Miss, as well as with Port Discovery for a children’s concert at the Power Plant Live stage.
After a block party on Preston Street and a panel discussion with the evening’s
composers, Alsop led the BSO in a full symphonic concert at the Meyerhoff to
conclude the New Music Festival. This concert included the world premiere of Kevin
Puts’ Oboe Concerto, “Moonlight,” a BSO commission. Featuring Principal Oboist
Katherine Needleman, the piece was inspired, in part, by Puts’ reaction to the 2016
presidential election and borrows its nickname from the film of the same name.
Alsop and the BSO reprise the concerto on the regular concert season in November.
(Clockwise from top left) Marin Alsop and the evening’s composers host a Q&A before
the symphonic concert; Alsop with James MacMillan following the chamber music
performance at Peabody; Alsop conducts the symphonic concert at the Meyerhoff;
Du Yun and her band OK Miss perform at the Motor House.
MUSICAL CHAIRS
New gift from the
Hecht-Levi Foundation
endows the BSO’s
Principal Timpani position
I
n June, the BSO announced a major
commitment from the Hecht-Levi Foundation
that endows the Orchestra’s Principal Timpani
position. The gift creates the Levi Family Chair
and marks the first endowed chair in over 13 years.
“The BSO is a vital community institution, and
it has always held a special place in my family’s
heart,” says Sandra Levi Gerstung, President of
the Hecht-Levi Foundation. “My mother Ryda
was especially passionate about the Orchestra,
and with this gift, we hope to ensure its continued
success and prosperity so that future generations
may benefit from its exceptional programs.”
Prior to the Principal Timpani chair, the
most recently endowed position was that of the
Associate Concertmaster in 2005. James Wyman,
who joined the BSO in the 2013–14 season,
currently serves as Principal Timpanist.
“I am incredibly honored to hold the Levi
Family Chair,” says Wyman. “This is an exciting
time for the Orchestra, and I am grateful to the
family for their extraordinary investment.”
HANDEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS
BSO releases new Messiah recording on Naxos label
T
he holiday season this year brings
the arrival of a new recording from
the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
of George Frideric Handel’s classic oratorio
Messiah. The new disc, led by conductor
Edward Polochick and featuring the Concert
Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale, is
released on the Naxos label on September 14.
The Christmas staple wasn’t always
associated with the December holidays,
however. The work was initially intended for
Easter and received its premiere during Holy
Week in 1742. It wasn’t until the 19 th century
that Messiah came to be associated with
Christmas in the United States.
Pick up your copy of the BSO’s new release
and hear this year’s performances of Messiah
at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on
December 8 & 9 with Edward Polochick and the
Concert Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale!
Edward Polochick
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