EXPLORING NEW WORKS 14 JOE VENTURA AND DEMOCRATIZING THE ARTS

EXPLORING NEW WORKS

NOVEMBER 20, 2021

DISTINGUISHED MUSICIANS RETURN TO LOUISVILLE

by Julie Engelhardt

he Louisville Orchestra’s Classics Series continues this month with “Schumann and Brahms” on November 20 at 8 p.m. The audience will be treated to an evening with guest conductor Edwin Outwater, who works with orchestras throughout the world. T “Edwin is a distinguished American conductor with whom we have had an ongoing relationship,” says Matthew Feldman, LO’s Director of Artistic Operations. “He conducted the LO almost 20 years ago and has an enormous range in terms of his abilities at the podium and the repertoire that he conducts.” Outwater is pleased to reunite with LO during this very special season. “It is exciting to return to the Louisville Orchestra with this beautiful and varied program,” he says. “This is my first time back since my friend, Teddy Abrams, took the helm. He’s done remarkable work there and made incredible connections to the community, as well as really exciting and original collaborative projects. That sense of adventure is really important to me, and I look forward to exploring these four amazing works with them.” The evening also features outstanding Mexican pianist Jorge Federico Osorio. “He is one of the foremost pianists of his generation,” Feldman says. “I certainly consider him that way. He’s an extremely elegant player.” The concert begins with the piece, “Overture No. 2,” by French female composer Louise Farrenc, then continues on with “Concerto for Piano and Orchestra,” by Robert Schumann. Next on the program is “Little Suite,” by Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski. The evening concludes with “Variations on a Theme of Joseph Hadyn” (“St. Anthony Variations”), by Johannes Brahms. Classical music aficionados will recognize that the first half of the concert is female-centric, in terms of the works represented. “Osorio plays Robert Schumann’s piano concerto, a warhorse of the repertoire and a work we haven’t done since 2001.

Edwin Outwater conducted the LO almost 20 years ago. He reunites with them for a special concert on November 20. Photo courtesy of Louisville Orchestra.

Schumann composed his concerto for his wife, Clara, a noted piano soloist in her own right. The piece would become her signature touring work,” says Feldman. “Louise Farranc was a formidable musical force during her lifetime. She was admired by Schumann himself, and Berlioz, but has since been overlooked by history.”

The second half of the program is anchored by the classic work of Brahms, who had been mentored by Schumann at one time. Feldman explains,” He was a master of the variations form and penned a series on a theme he believed to be by the earlier classicist Joseph Hadyn.”

For more information about the performance and to purchase tickets, click here.

 Renowned Mexican pianist, Jorge Federico Osorio, will perform Robert Schumann's piano concerto with Edwin Outwater on November 20. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

EVENTS WE LOVE

GET INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS with LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA

by Julie Engelhardt

Tony DeSare, American pianist, jazz singer, and songwriter, will perform with the LO on November 27. Photo courtesy of Louisville Orchestra.

NOVEMBER 27, 2021

The holiday season will be here in a twinkling of an eye, and what better way to celebrate than with a little festive music provided by the Louisville Orchestra and its Holiday POPS concerts, led by conductor Bob Bernhardt.

Two spirited concerts will be presented on Saturday, November 27. The first performance is LO’s “Jingle Bell Concert” from 11 a.m. until noon, and then at 8 p.m. the orchestra will offer an extended, two-hour holiday concert.

“The full concert is designed for the entire family,” Bernhardt says, “but if you have younger children and you think an hour would be better, then patrons have that choice as well.”

On the docket is a performance by the Louisville Youth Choir, but Bernhardt explains that due to shifting COVID protocols, the choir’s appearance has not been confirmed. “We are hoping very much to have them here,” he adds.

Both performances will feature a very special guest, American pianist, jazz singer, and songwriter Tony DeSare. “He is a brilliant musician with a wonderful, easy stage presence, and his specialty is singing music from the American Songbook,” says Bernhardt. “He will be singing four or five numbers with the orchestra and joining in with our audience sing-a-long at the end of the concert.”

DeSare adds a clever twist to one very well-known song, which Bernhardt says is incredibly special and different. “Tony plays and sings ‘Jingle Bells’ in the style and voice of 17 different singers,” he says. This rendition spotlights artists such as Elton John, Neil Diamond, and Randy Newman. Other holiday pieces performed by DeSare include: “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and an original tune, “Christmas for You and Me.”

Additionally, the orchestra will perform favorites such as Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” (who John Williams described as one of the great American masters of light orchestral music), plus music from “Polar Express,” Lewis Richmond’s “Hanukkah Suite,” and “Christmas a la Valse,” a compilation of Christmas tunes played in ¾ time.

“It’s a fun Christmas romp!” Bernhardt says.

For more information about both performances and to purchase tickets, click here.