In Tuesday’s (2/19) Toledo Blade (Ohio), Sally Vallongo writes, “The Toledo Symphony will celebrate the big 7-0 during its 2013-2014 performance season. Plans reveal a head-high pile of musical gifts for the community that supports it. Here are some of the sure-fire ooh-and-ah inducers in the works from September through May: A live production of Amadeus, the Peter Schaffer play set to the music of the Academy Award-winning film; The Manzoni Requiem, one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most majestic works for chorus and orchestra; Waltzing Through Vienna, an evening of orchestral dance music; The Brahms Project, with beloved pianist Kirill Gerstein returning; Frankenstein! A ghoulishly delicious musical celebration of Halloween; A full-course serving of Bach’s beloved Brandenburg concertos; Pop tributes to Elvis (the King) and Queen, the former rock band; A salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein. According to Bob Bell, Toledo Symphony president emeritus and chief artistic officer, these elaborate and distinctive plans result from countless meetings and conversations, plus paying close attention to the constantly evolving global music scene. … Last weekend’s wildly successful North American premiere of the Fazil Say violin concerto, ‘1001 Nights in the Harem,’ exemplifies the restless search by planners at Toledo Symphony headquarters on Parkwood Boulevard for the latest musical thing.”
Posted February 19, 2013
