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Ward Stare
Posted inMusic
RPO announces 2016-17 season
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2016-17 season has been announced, and like the current season, it has its share of crowd-pleasing classics, American and contemporary works, and notable guest performers. But the big coup here is the presence of famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who will join conductor Ward Stare and the RPO for a special concert […]
Posted inMusic
Full RPO 2016-17 schedule
Philharmonics series (All performances at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre): Season Opener: Stare Conducts Beethoven 7 + Nakamatsu Returns Thursday, September 15, 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, September 17, 8 p.m. Ward Stare, conductor; Jon Nakamatsu, piano. Ron Nelson, “Savannah River Holiday” (RPO premiere); Rachmaninoff, “Piano Concerto No. 2”; Beethoven, Symphony No. 7. Seaman Conducts Elgar […]
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Concert review: RPO performs Wagner, Barber, and Sergei Prokofiev
In its concert in Kodak Hall Thursday night, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra interpreted the works of important composers who, despite their undeniable mastery, are not included frequently enough in orchestral programs. By adding a guest appearance from a young American phenom to the mix – Simone Porter – the recipe for success was complete. Opening […]
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Classical Review: RPO performs Sibelius
A couple of weeks ago, Ward Stare and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra made a flashy, but satisfactory, season debut. That program showed a sure hand in staples of the repertoire; this weekend’s concert is a bit more adventurous, but even more satisfying. It began with “Four Scottish Dances” by Malcolm Arnold, the prolific British composer […]
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Classical Review: The RPO season opener
To open the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s 93rd season and his first full season as music director, Ward Stare selected four popular works that nevertheless seem as though they are not performed often enough. None of these compositions feature a soloist, but that did not prevent their success with the listeners at the RPO’s season opener […]
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The face of the franchise
The RPO and the Buffalo Sabres are
more alike than you thought
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‘Pops’ and substance: the RPO’s balancing act
Eighteenth-century composers and writers on music used to differentiate between “music lovers” and “connoisseurs.” The music lovers, it was thought, went for the simple, tuneful, dance-y stuff; the connoisseurs liked more complicated, modern music. In their search for audiences, modern concert organizations tread a fine line between the two, trying to strike a balance that […]
Posted inMusic
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Based on most local media coverage of Ward Stare, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s new music director, you would know that he’s young, he’s handsome, and he looks good in a tuxedo — all excellent attributes in a conductor, of course, but … The media have approached Stare’s musical credentials more gingerly; nonetheless they are definitely […]
Posted inMusic
Concert Review: RPO’s season opener
Based on most local media coverage of Ward Stare, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s new music director, you would know that he’s young, he’s handsome, and he looks good in a tuxedo — all excellent attributes in a conductor, of course, but … The media have approached Stare’s musical credentials more gingerly; nonetheless they are definitely […]
Posted inMusic
CLASSICAL PREVIEW: Summer road trip with the RPO
According to Ward Stare, the only place you’ll want to be on July 19 is at the Eastman Theatre, where he’ll lead the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in “three of the greatest works by three of the greatest composers.” Stare, a 30-year-old Rochester native, speaks of Beethoven, Mozart, and Wagner the way that some speak of […]
