[NEohioPAL] Berko review and preview: The Cleveland Orchestra: Summer at Severance and Blossom

[Roy Berko via NEohioPAL]

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*The Cleveland Orchestra:  Summer at Severance and Blossom*



Roy Berko



Cleveland has garnered another honor.  Based on its international survey
Backtrack.com, an international concert finder, has declared The Cleveland
Orchestra the world’s favorite orchestra.  This comes along with previous
recognitions of the orchestra being one of the finest, if not the finest in
the world.



Clevelanders can take advantage of hearing this musical source of pride at
two venues this summer.  Since 1968, the group’s summer home has been
Blossom, the gorgeous scenic wonderland situated in Cuyahoga Falls.  It is
about 25 miles south of downtown Cleveland.



For those who want an even closer venue, Friday Night Summers @ Severance
are now available.   From 5:30 to 6:30 PM, socializing on the complex’s
open air terrace,  complete with a cash bar, takes place.  This is followed
at 7 PM by a concert inside the hall.  After the concert, music, drinks and
face time with new and old friends takes place back on the terrace.



Based on the large and excited crowd at the August 1st event, these
come-as-you-are events are turning out to be a popular experience.



The opening night’s program consisted of an hour-and-a-half concert
beginning with Maurice Ravel’s “Pavane For a Dead Princess,” followed by
Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G major,” and  Rachmaninoff’s “Symphonic Dances,
Opus 45.”  Though it appeared that the orchestra and guest conductor,
Johannes Debus, didn’t seem to always be musically talking to each other,
and wunderkind British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor seemed not to be totally
in sync with Debus, the capacity crowd gave the concert a standing ovation.



The August 15 concert, “The Beethoven Experience,” will include “Overture
to The Creatures of Prometheus, Opus 43,” “Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major,
Opus 60,”  and “Fantasia in C minor (‘Choral Fantasy’), Opus 80” for piano,
chorus, and orchestra.  Orion Weiss will be at the piano, Jahja Ling will
conduct, and Robert Porco will direct the Blossom Festival Chorus.



August 29’s “Franz and Brahms,” will be conducted by Franz
Welser-Möst.  Featured
pieces are:  Jörg Widmann’s “Lied [Song] (for orchestra), Widmann’s “Flute
en suite (for flûte and orchestra),” and Johannes Brahms “Symphony No. 1 in
C minor, Opus 68.”



Future offerings by the Orchestra include “At the Movies,” the showing of
classic films with live accompaniment.  The October 28 @ 7:30 PM offering
features Todd Wilson at the Hall’s mighty Norton memorial organ playing
“Phantom of the Opera.  December 11 @ 7:30 PM will find the Orchestra,
under the baton of Brett Mitchell, allowing the audience to experience,
“Disney Fantasia.”  On February 13 @ 8 PM, Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo”
will be shown with Brett Mitchell conducting the Orchestra as they play
Bernard Herrmann’s legendary score.



The Blossom Music Festival continues through August 31 climaxing with a
“European Festivals Tour Send-Off Concert” featuring works by Widmann and
Brahms.  Other highlights include an appearance by Yo-Yo Ma on August 16,
“Carmina Burana” on August 23 and “A Beatles Tribute” on August 24.



There is still one gourmet matinee offering.  The “Divine Dvorâk” event
will be held on August 27 from noon to 2 PM.



The July 20 Blossom concert, which included the works of Carl Maria Von
Weber’s “Overture to Der Freischütz,” Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 27 in
B-flat major, K595,” and Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Opus
47.” It was a fine evening of music, coupling excellent conducting with
marvelous musicianship on the part of the Orchestra.  Piano soloist
Francesco Piemontesi’s rendition of the Mozart composition was met with
such applause that, contrary to tradition, he played an encore in the midst
of the concert.



For information and tickets to orchestra offerings go on-line to
clevelandorchestra.com.

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