“An improbably daring organization since its foundation in 1969, defying fiscal and marketing rules, Berkeley Symphony does not disappoint in the announcement of its 2015-2016 season,” writes Janos Gereben in Tuesday’s (4/21) San Francisco Classical Voice. “Music director Joana Carneiro has scheduled a selection of contemporary music that few other organizations—big or small—would venture to present,” including the West Coast premiere of Laterna magica by Kaija Saariaho; the U.S. premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s Fachwerk for bayan (classical accordion), featuring Norwegian bayan player Geir Draugsvoll; Witold Lutoslawski’s Concerto for Orchestra; and the West Coast premiere of Mark Grey’s Frankenstein Symphony, a co-commission with Atlanta Symphony. “New works, yet to be announced, will be featured as well by the Berkeley Symphony & Friends Chamber Music Series and at Under Construction New Music Program events….. The organization, with an operating budget of $1.2 million in the last fiscal year, also continues with its free Family Concerts and Music in the Schools program, serving all 11 public elementary schools in Berkeley.” During the season the orchestra will also perform music by Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Ravel, Mussorgsky, and Gabrieli.
Posted April 27, 2015
