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 5