In Saturday’s (5/8) San Jose Mercury News (California), Richard Scheinin writes that in August, the San Jose Chamber Orchestra “begins its 20th season, one featuring seven newly commissioned works. Living composers are what the orchestra is about. It has commissioned and performed more than 80 new works over the years, winning numerous awards for its adventurous programming. … The season begins with the serenity of Mozart, then fires up with intensely rhythmic works by three California composers: Michael Touchi (whose ‘Kahea,’ one of the seven commissioned premieres, will feature the lustrous mezzo-soprano Layna Chianakas and the duo Nona); Steven Mark Kohn (whose ‘Hymn’ was the first piece ever commissioned and performed by the orchestra); and Robert Cornejo (whose ‘Mestengo’ aims to conjure a mustang’s wildness).” Works by Bach, Mahler, Piazzolla, Pablo Furman, Anica Galindo, Norman Dello Joio, Henry Mollicone, and Emily Wong will also be performed. “The season wraps up with the ‘Young Artist Concert,’ pairing San Jose Chamber Orchestra’s senior youth orchestra with pros from the chamber orchestra.”
Posted May 10, 2010
