In Sunday’s (5/6) New York Times, James R. Oestreich writes, “If anyone can tell the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra or the Alabama Symphony Orchestra what blessings may flow from a Carnegie Hall debut, it is the Nashville Symphony. Having rented the hall on its own initiative and paid its own freight, Nashville made its Carnegie debut in 2000, conducted by the music director who had elevated its stature, Kenneth Schermerhorn, five years before his death.” Thanks in large part to that Carnegie appearance, the orchestra “was able to raise funds for what eventually turned out to be the resplendent Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which opened in 2006. Now, after continued growth in its new home, the Nashville Symphony returns to Carnegie by invitation of the annual festival Spring for Music, which pays for the hall rental (though not the freight). It joins the newcomers from Edmonton, Alberta, and Birmingham, Ala., as well as three orchestras more familiar with the hall in the festival’s second season, beginning Monday.” Oestreich goes on to preview the programs for all six festival participants, who also include the Houston, New Jersey, and Milwaukee symphonies.
Photo by Jeff Goldberg/Esto
Posted May 7, 2012
