“Gonzalo Farias’s calm demeanor and unhurried way of speaking are influenced by Zen Buddhism, something Farias has practiced for about a decade,” writes Rashod Ollison in Tuesday’s (7/10) Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA). “He also brings that same sense of peaceful openness to music. Farias is the new assistant conductor for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. He’ll conduct his first VSO concert Thursday night, ‘Symphony by the Sea’ … in Virginia Beach. The performance will feature music from … ‘The Incredibles,’ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’ and other [films].… Before moving to Virginia, he held a conducting fellowship at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under BSO music director Marin Alsop…. In the new position, Farias will oversee between 85 to 90 concerts a year, including educational, pop and classical performances.… A major part of his new position with the VSO is to get to know the community.” Farias says, “My piano teachers were an amazing influence on me [but] being a conductor is closer to what I want, being with people and being with music.”
Posted July 11, 2018
