Mahler once claimed that “the symphony should contain the world.” His Fifth seems to contain a bit more of everything than the rest of his symphonies: austere funeral marches, bad-tempered jokes, over-the-top waltzes, a breathtakingly delicate love song, and a finale that exudes manic energy and contrapuntal wizardry. A modern therapist might express some worry […]
Ward Stare
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RPO announces 2017-18 season
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its 2017-18 season, and its “best-of-both-worlds” approach has a lot to offer, including plenty of classic blockbusters and big names, from Perlman to Potter, and some pleasant surprises. The season will start on September 12 with an appearance from Itzhak Perlman, a violinist who truly does deserve to be […]
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Classical review: RPO performs Mozart’s ‘Requiem’
On paper alone, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s February 2 program already had me hooked: Mozart, Stravinsky, and Hovhaness is an intriguing combination of composers and styles, to be sure. The audible result was no less satisfying. Music Director Ward Stare continues to lead the RPO with a steady hand and a nuanced approach. Alan Hovhaness’s […]
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Classical review: RPO with James Ehnes
In the classical music world at least, waltzing is a highly accepted way to begin the New Year. Ward Stare must feel the same way: Stare’s opening program of 2017 with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra gave plenty of time to two large-scale showpieces that offered sophisticated treatments of the dance in three quarter time. Stare […]
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RPO highlights American music in new festival
American music is like America, says Ward Stare, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s music director. “It’s a melting pot,” he says, “a diversity of sounds and influences, and a tremendous breadth of styles. And Rochester has been an important center for American music for nearly a hundred years.” Stare will prove his point in the next couple […]
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Classical concert review: RPO season opener
Music Director Ward Stare and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra are embarking on their second full season together, and based on Thursday night’s opening concert, the excitement will continue. The RPO opened with an American rarity, before segueing into two pillars of the concerto and symphonic repertoire, all exceedingly well performed. If you ever wondered if […]
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Ward Stare reflects on RPO’s 2015-16 season
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2015-2016 season was Ward Stare’s first year to program as the orchestra’s music director — he officially took over the position in September 2014, and led several concerts during that season, but its programming had already been set. And this season was, by artistic and financial standards, a success. Stare’s musicality […]
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Classical review: Olga Kern with the RPO
For his first-season finale as RPO music director,
Ward Stare begins and ends the program with two sumptuous French celebrations of
bad behavior.
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Concert review: Yuja Wang with the RPO
Pianist Yuja Wang on Thursday and Saturday broke into Bartok and helped the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra reach
new heights.
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Pianist Yuja Wang reaches a milestone in Rochester
“Incomparable” is not a word to be used carelessly, but it could easily be used to describe the craft of 29-year-old pianist Yuja Wang. Undeniably kinetic, Wang’s performances are unparalleled for their flair, exuberance, and substance. The piano phenom has already accomplished a lot in her young career, having performed rarified gigs at Carnegie Hall […]
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Classical review: RPO performs “Four Last Songs”
The RPO continues its mastery of Barber while presenting fascinating new music.
Posted inNews & Opinion
Challenges continue for the RPO
Leaders of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra had both good financial news and bad when they unveiled their annual report last week. The good: The RPO’s young new music director, Ward Stare, seems to be generating enthusiasm among RPO patrons. Single-ticket sales were up 19 percent last year – to a record level. Total attendance for […]
