In Sunday’s (6/13) Richmond Times Dispatch (Virginia), Angela Lehman-Rios writes, “The Richmond Symphony’s new music director, Steven Smith, didn’t shape much of the orchestra’s 2010-11 concert season—he was hired after most of the planning was complete—but he’s happy with the results. Program selections for the Masterworks, Pops and Lollipops series reflect his desire to present a wide range of music, Smith said. With a season that includes work by Robert Schumann and Elizabeth Shatin, as well as musical connections to Dr. Seuss and Dr. No, Smith will be well on his way to delivering diversity. … In celebration of the Richmond Symphony Chorus’ 40th year, the Masterworks season begins and ends with two monumental choral pieces by Beethoven: his Symphony No. 9, with its instantly recognizable ‘Ode to Joy’ melody, and ‘Missa Solemnis,’ which was the first work performed by the chorus in 1971. Masterworks programming this year includes four pieces composed in this century. The first work the audience will hear in September, in fact, is a world premiere of a piece commissioned by the Richmond Symphony, composed by Richmond native Mason Bates.”
Posted June 14, 2010
