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Thursday, February 05, 2009

Getting to Know Louis Lortie and a Conducting Debut

Gone are the days where the only information a concert-goer had about a guest soloist was what they read in the program. The majority of artists appearing with orchestras across the globe now have a digital face to show the world online. Our guest pianist for the week is no exception. Louis Lortie's website has a fantastic set of videos of him not just performing, but also discussing his approach to the works of masters such as Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin.

But Louis Lortie isn't the only one giving audiences a video sneak-peak at the music festivities this weekend. Enjoying his first time conducting The Phoenix Symphony is Dr. Gregory Gentry, chorusmaster of the Phoenix Symphony Chorus. He will be taking the podium to lead the Symphony and Chorus in Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms - a piece very personal to the composer while at the same time detached and mysterious in its emotional drive. For a sneak-peak at the chorus' preparations and some more insight from Dr. Gentry, check out the video below:



Tickets are available at Symphony Hall this weekend as well as right here online.

posted by The Phoenix Symphony | 9:18 AM

3 Comments:

Blogger theonemom said...

Thank you, Maestro Christie, for having Igor Stravinsky as one of your highlighted composers. After hearing Petrushka and this week's two Stravinsky pieces I am a true fan. Also, the Phoenix Symphony is lucky to have such a talented pianist as Larry Loeber and I look forward to hearing him perform again tonight.

2/07/2009 2:09 PM  
Blogger Michael Christie said...

I would agree that Larry does a great job for us, tackling with equal vigor whatever we throw at him.

I'm thrilled that Stravinsky is resonating with you. Like so many other composers, it is easy to get stuck with just one or two pieces that perpetuate what seems to be the only angle we know. Doing these Spotlights gives me more leeway to explore a composer's output in fuller measure.

I'm looking forward to the complete Firebird! Talk about another angle on a composer. The impressionistic side of Stravinsky is on full display. There is so much music that is left out of the oft performed suites. It will be a completely different experience but you'll love it.

Firebird was the first of the three major ballets written for the Ballets Russes in the second decade of the 20th century. Put the three side by side, Firebird, Petrushka and Rite of Spring and it is clear that the symphony orchestra would never be the same!

Thanks for writing!

Thanks to everyone for coming to the performances this past weekend. Each performance was very exciting and sadly, we had to turn dozens of people away on Saturday because the concert was SOLD OUT!

How do you like that for Beethoven and Stravinsky?! It wasn't Beethoven's 5th and it wasn't the Rite of Spring. Are we on to something here????

2/09/2009 7:14 PM  
Blogger lckalb said...

I also really enjoyed last Saturday's concert. The second performance (was in Bach?) actually gave me shivers. I'm not sure, but it seemed like the orchestra played with much more passion than usual. Good job. Thank you.

Laura

2/12/2009 9:06 PM  

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