“ ‘Fate and Freedom’ is more than just the title of the Cleveland Orchestra’s recent programs. It’s also a handy theme for the group’s upcoming European Tour,” writes Zachary Lewis in Sunday’s (11/2) Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio). “As the ensemble heads off to New York and then overseas Monday, it takes with it not only the music of Beethoven and Shostakovich, but also hopes for future partnerships and tests of fan loyalty. Fate and freedom…. At New York’s Avery Fisher Hall on Monday … in collaboration with [130 members of] the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, the group will present both [Beethoven’s] Mass in C Major and [Messiaen’s] ‘Trois Petites Liturgies de la Presence Divine.’ … The Chorus doesn’t visit Europe often. Frankfurt’s Alte Oper, Salle Pleyel in Paris, and the Philharmonie in Luxembourg may be familiar to the orchestra, but to the Chorus, they’re virtually unknown…. In showing off the organization to the world, the trip also will do a world of good for the Chorus itself, as the singers enjoy the benefits of traveling together and delving deeper into their scores.… ‘What it does to the musical community of Chorus is just amazing,’ [Director of Choruses Robert] Porco said.”
Posted November 4, 2013
