In Wednesday’s (5/25) Citizen-Times (Asheville, N.C.), Hayley Benton writes that the Asheville Symphony’s just-released album, Sessions, was “an effort that took a year to complete with more than 125 people, including eight local bands of different genres… [Sessions] begins with a jazzy world-beat from Rising Appalachia, soon escalated by a wave of strings that takes the track to another level. Next up is a number from pop-rock band Doc Aquatic, to which the symphony adds a bit of instrumental sunshine…. The project began as a simple idea: What if the symphony could expand its normal reach—appealing to regulars and rockers alike? What if the city—in all of its artistic diversity—could be reflected in a single soundtrack? Just as the city of Asheville is a unique, ‘we want to be seen as an orchestra of and for our community. An orchestra distinct to Asheville,’ said Daniel Meyer, conductor and music director of the symphony.” Asheville Symphony Executive Director David Whitehill describes the recording as “a snapshot of where Asheville is today, musically, and how this community has grown and matured and really is an oasis of music.”
Posted May 26, 2016
