PROGRAM NOTES
STRAVINSKY THE FIREBIRD
ABOUT THE ARTISTS Michael Francis
Michael Francis has quickly established himself as one of the leading international conductors of today . Appointed Music Director of the Florida Orchestra in 2014 , he has built a wide variety of transformative community engagement initiatives that have resulted in significant growth for the organization . As Music Director of the Mainly Mozart Festival , he continues his ambitious multiyear exploration of Mozart ’ s life . Francis also continues as Chief Conductor of Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz . Previously , he was Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra .
For the 2020 – 21 season , interrupted by the pandemic , Francis re-designed seasons for the Florida Orchestra , Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie , and the Mainly Mozart Festival through innovative programming with smaller ensembles , split-orchestra concerts , livestreaming , drive-in concerts , educational videos , and curated online experiences .
Conducting highlights include the Cleveland Orchestra ; the New York , Royal , and BBC philharmonics ; the symphony orchestras of Cincinnati , St . Louis , San Diego , Houston , Atlanta , London , and Pittsburgh ; Symphony Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio ; the NHK Symphony ; and the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan .
A former double-bass player in the London Symphony Orchestra ( LSO ), Francis came to prominence as a conductor in January of 2007 stepping in for Valery Gergiev and John Adams with the LSO .
The Percussion Collective
Performer and pedagogue Robert van Sice has assembled a stunning collection of young artists who are reinventing the concert experience . The Percussion Collective transcends the medium of percussion through uncommon performance experiences that surprise and engages audiences at a profound emotional level . The hallmarks of van Sice ’ s musical approach — precise execution ,
Michael Francis
The Percussion Collective
sonic refinement , and dynamic onstage communication — are all on display in the most vivid manner to date . Drawing from an incomparably rich bouquet of talent , The Percussion Collective flexes in size offering exquisitely curated programs for an array of venues and settings .
A performance with the Oregon Symphony and Carlos Kalmar saw The Percussion Collective ’ s first orchestral showcase with the world premiere of the Christopher Theofanidis ’ Drum Circles . Since then , debuts have included the Aspen Festival Orchestra led by Michael Stern , Hartford Symphony led by Carolyn Kuan , Curtis Symphony Orchestra , Colorado Symphony , and Louisville Orchestra led by Teddy Abrams .
The roster of The Percussion Collective includes some of the world ’ s most esteemed and dynamic young voices in the art form . Featuring players from Europe , Asia , and the U . S ., this new generation of virtuosi represents the leading edge of innovation in concert conception and performance .
Experience the Performance Again A livestream of this program is available for a limited time . A BSO Sessions Episode , featuring an interview with Michael Francis , will be released on May 11 and will be available through the 2021 – 22 season .
FROM THE PODIUM by Michael Francis
The power of music has always been palpable — the power that can take us out of just the intellect and into the visceral feeling of what others go through , in a way that almost no other art form can . Because of what we lost by not experiencing music live and in community for so long , I think we ’ ve all deepened our understanding of that powerful connection we have to each other . With music , you don ’ t have to understand the metaphor , the language , or the syntax ; you can go straight in and bypass all that . When you combine intellectual empathy and understanding alongside that emotional response , then you have a truly life-changing art form .
If you look at the names of the movements of Drum Circles , these are the most primal aspects of music . At the very core of it all is rhythm , and that feeling of connection . This music is beautifully kaleidoscopic , brilliant , virtuosic , and optimistic . At its core , it ’ s about how music makes us move . Visually , there is a real physical pleasure in watching this piece , to see the amazing coordination and timing of The Percussion Collective .
Performing the full ballet of The Firebird , there is an intrinsic physicality to the way you are forced to play it , which reminds me of Drum Circles . I see a kinship between these pieces in the color and sense of movement , and also the beautiful optimism . The very core of The Firebird is based upon forgiveness , and how it provides the courage to move forward . That aspect of mercy has become more powerful than ever for me , given what we ’ re seeing in the world around us .
NOTES ON THE PROGRAM
BY AARON GRAD
Christopher Theofanidis
Born December 18 , 1967 in Dallas , TX Currently resides in New Haven , CT
DRUM CIRCLES [ 2019 ]
Whether writing for orchestras , opera houses , or chamber ensembles , Christopher Theofandis creates music of uncommon beauty and joy . He taught composition at the Peabody Institute until 2008 , leaving a lasting mark on Baltimore ’ s classical music community , and he has composed
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