“On Feb. 27, 1896, a group of musicians gathered at Carnegie Music Hall to present the first performance by the Pittsburgh Orchestra,” writes Elizabeth Bloom in Wednesday’s Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh). “The ensemble now known as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will return to Carnegie Music Hall on Saturday, which marks the 120th anniversary of its first performance “Music director Manfred Honeck will lead the concert, which features guest violinist Jennifer Koh in the finale of Dvorák’s Violin Concerto and three of the orchestra’s principal musicians (William Caballero, horn; George Vosburgh, trumpet; and Craig Knox, tuba) in the final movement of Andre Previn’s Triple Concerto for Horn, Trumpet and Tuba [premiered in 2012 by the PSO].… Among the featured pieces are the ‘Auditorium Festival March’ of Victor Herbert (who led the orchestra from 1898-1904) and Saint-Saëns’ ‘Marche heroique,’ which appeared on that first concert in 1896. A selection from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 harks back to the first concert conducted by William Steinberg (music director, 1952-76).… To celebrate the anniversary, the PSO’s musicians and board started a $120,000 challenge grant, which will match dollar-for-dollar any new or increased gifts made by May 3 to the annual fund. All of the musicians have donated to the annual fund.”
Posted February 25, 2016
