Weston Owl: Leland Ko, WHS '16, Performs Walton's Cello Concerto at Symphony Hall -May 1
"Leland Ko, WHS ’16, is back in town for what promises to be another spectacular performance – this time on May 1 at 8 pm at Symphony Hall." -Weston Owl
WBUR Spring Arts Preview: A guide to Greater Boston's bounty of spring classical music events
"May 1: Zander’s remarkable Youth Philharmonic offers a varied program of Debussy’s seductive “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” Walton’s Cello Concerto with recent Montreal competition winner (and YPO graduate) Leland Ko, and Rachmaninoff’s long-winded Symphony No. 2 (May 1)." -Lloyd Schwartz, Read the full article on WBUR.org.
The Boston Musical Intelligencer: Zander and the BPYO knockout Mahler 6th
"there was a lot this Mahler Sixth did solve. The 132 musicians ages 13–21 Zander put on the Symphony Hall stage played with discipline, perception, and passion. Instruments whose sound is essential to this symphony — snare drum, cymbals, xylophone, triangle, celesta, cowbells, and, in the Finale, rute — got room to shine. Balance was exemplary, articulation crisp; where the symphony had to roar, it roared. The Allegro’s exposition featured a superb trumpet solo from Sebastián Haros that ushered in an afternoon of solo treats. In the “Naturlaut” development section alone: oboe (Abby Hope-Hull, substituting on short notice), bass clarinet (Maxwell Reed), celesta (Julian Dürr), bassoon (Andrew Salaru), and the duet of French horn (Mauricio Martinez) and violin (Michael Fisher). Tuba (Hayden Silvester) in the Scherzo, and then clarinet (Cole Turkel) and contrabassoon (Alex Weber) in the coda. Cor anglais (Christian Paniagua) in the second subject of the Andante; flute (Anna Ridenour) in the coda. All three hammer blows in the Finale, and the coda’s parade of trombones (Devin Drinan, Allie Klaire Ledbetter, Collin Good, and Cole MacEwen). And more where all that came from." -Jeffrey Gantz. Read the full review on classical-scene.com.
"To be sure, the BPYO’s was a performance in which one could fully appreciate the 80-minute score’s vitality. The orchestra’s playing teemed with defiant energy, from the taut tread of the first movement’s opening march to the big dynamic contrasts of the Scherzo and the remarkable play of character on display in its supercharged finale...The Allegro’s Alpine interlude shimmered, with pristine solos from concertmaster Michael Fisher, bass clarinetist Maxwell Reed, and principal horn Mauricio Martinez." -Jonathan Blumhofer, Read the full review at BostonClassicalReview.com.
The Patch: Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Performs Mahler Symphony No. 6
The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Benjamin Zander, performs one of the most challenging works in the orchestral repertoire. Often referred to as the “Tragic” symphony, Mahler’s Sixth is a powerful exploration of struggle and resilience. Performing it requires exceptional skill and immense emotional commitment.
After receiving critical acclaim for last season’s performances of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony in major European concert halls, the BPYO musicians are prepared to take on this equally formidable challenge.
The performance marks the second of three Mahler symphonies conducted by Zander within a span of two months. The ambitious undertaking of three Mahler symphonies in such a short time highlights Zander’s enduring passion and remarkable energy at age 86. Following the BPYO’s rendition of Symphony No. 6, the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra will conclude its season on April 18 with Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, featuring soprano Miah Persson and mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly.
For more info about the Boston Philharmonic visit https://www.bostonphil.org/concerts or call 617-236-0999. Read on The Patch.
Boston Classical Review: February 23 (Concert Listings)
Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Benjamin Zander, conductor
Mahler: Symphony No. 6
3 p.m. Symphony Hall
bostonphil.org. View on Boston Classical Review.com.
WBUR: A guide to Greater Boston's numerous winter classical music events
Boston Philharmonic Orchestra & Youth Orchestra
Symphony Hall | Feb. 16 & March 2
Benjamin Zander returns to his beloved Mahler with the most intimate and touching of Mahler’s symphonies, the Fourth, which concludes with one of the most literally heavenly pieces of music for soprano — a song describing everyday life in heaven. The wide-ranging British soprano Claire Booth is the vocal soloist, who will begin the concert with Richard Strauss’ late “Four Last Songs” — also heavenly, though in a more earthly way (Feb. 16). Zander leads more Mahler with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Symphony, this time the powerful and tragic Symphony No. 6 — a huge challenge for any player, but if any youth orchestra can pull it off, it’s this one (March 2)." -Lloyd Schwartz, Read the full article on WBUR.org.
Boston Musical Intelligencer: BPYO Electrifies and Blesses
“The famous English horn solo (which later became the latter-day spiritual “Goin’ Home”) moved us with its simplicity and absence of affectation, Dvořák’s beautiful music here being a lily that needs no gilding. When the muted strings later whispered the same melody, the effect was equally touching. Woodwind themes in the tonic minor seemed to wander poignantly, searchingly. After a shift back to major, a playful staccato theme on the oboe grew quickly to a climax, leading to a reprise of the English horn solo: the player displayed rather amazing breath control.” -Geoffrey Wieting. Read the full review on Classical-Scene.com.
Boston Classical Review: BPYO impressively handles the challenges of Dvořák and Stravinsky
"The BPYO showed excellent endurance and enormous focus in this difficult piece, which, as Zander pointed out, involves many performers playing instruments in unusual ways. The winds prevailed in an excellent introduction, with bassoon soloist Andrew Salaru, principal flutist Sadie Goodman, and principal oboist Victoria Solis trading the famous opening motif of the rite between them." -Katherine Horgan. Read the review in full on Boston Classical Review.com.
The Boston Globe: Fall Arts Preview: 90 Fun Things to Do in and Around Boston this Fall
BOSTON PHILHARMONIC At the first concert of the season, the letter of the day is “B,” as in Beethoven, Bartók, Brahms, — and also Braunstein, as in former Berliner Philharmoniker concertmaster and featured soloist Guy Braunstein (Oct. 20). The next month, there’s an all-British program of Purcell’s Chacony in G Minor, Elgar’s Cello Concerto with soloist Alexander Bailly, and Holst’s “The Planets”, with the Radcliffe Choral Society. The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s fall program pairs two large works from the turn of the 20th century; Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony, and Stravinsky’s “The Rite of
Spring” (Nov. 3). Benjamin Zander conducts all concerts. 617-236-0999, bostonphil.org -AZM.
Symphony.org: Boston Philharmonic Promotes Derek Beckvold to Managing Director
"The Boston Philharmonic, comprising the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) and the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (BPYO), has appointed Derek Beckvold as managing director. He succeeds Elisabeth Christensen, who was hired twelve years ago to help create the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. The Boston Philharmonic was founded in 1979 by conductor Benjamin Zander, who continues as the organization’s artistic leader. Beckvold has been with the organization for nearly eight years, most recently as development officer and previously as education and community engagement manager. Beckvold is an arts administrator and musician who graduated from the New England Conservatory, plays several instruments, and has performed widely. At the Boston Philharmonic, he will oversee both orchestras, working with Zander and the Board of Directors. Members of the BPO include professionals, students, and amateur musicians. The BPYO, which is entering its 13th season, offers year-long, tuition-free orchestral and leadership training for musicians between the ages of 12 and 21, as well as the opportunity to go on tours and cultural exchanges." -Read the article on Symphony.org.
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